Special
Events - Stanford Race Against PH 2005
Record Setting Attendance and Great Fun for All
When the weather forecast called for rain, event organizers for the Race Against PH weren’t worried. A generous sponsor had donated 400 umbrellas “just in case.” In true California fashion the early morning clouds cleared, the sun shone bright and the 5th Annual Race Against PH was off and running. Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch, Director of Research for the Vera Moulton Wall Center at Stanford, served as the official starter for the event and reminded the record crowd that she and many other researchers are hard at work in the lab to better understand pulmonary vascular disease and, ultimately, find a cure for pulmonary hypertension.
Participants of all ages and skill levels, including many in strollers, walked or ran the course which traversed the beautiful Stanford University campus. Several members of the Nike Farm Team, a nationally recognized elite running team from Palo Alto, came out for the race and swept the top awards. But the loudest cheers were for the many PH patients who completed the 3.1-mile course. Their determination and dedication was an inspiration to all in attendance.
Post-race snacks and goodies were plentiful thanks to the many kind sponsors. Attendees were challenged to test their knowledge of PH with a quiz at the PH awareness table staffed by patients and volunteers. The California Transplant Donor Network was also in attendance, promoting awareness and information on organ and tissue donation. Dr. Ramona Doyle, codirector of the Vera Moulton Wall Center, thanked the sponsors: Pfizer, Actelion, Accredo Therapeutics, INO Therapeutics, Cotherix, Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Priority Healthcare, and United Therapeutics, for their support of the event. She reminded the crowd that many of today’s therapies were not available five years ago when the race began.
Sponsored by the Vera Moulton Wall Center at Stanford, the Race Against PH was started by the Ewing family to raise funds and promote PH awareness. The race honors the memory of Patti Ewing who lost her battle with pulmonary hypertension in 2003. The 5th Annual Race Against PH reached record numbers with more than 600 participants and volunteers in attendance. The event generated more than $35,000 with the proceeds benefiting the Ewing Family Fund for PH Research at Stanford, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. In addition to raising funds, the race is an opportunity for the pulmonary hypertension community—patients, families, medical providers, and therapeutics companies—to unite together and promote PH awareness.
According to one donor, even the race T-shirts have become an avenue for promoting awareness, “I was at the grocery store wearing last year’s race shirt and the cashier asked me ‘What is PH?’ I replied that it stood for pulmonary hypertension. He grimaced, and said that sounded awful, but I told him that it’s not as awful as it used to be because of some of my friends at Stanford. He said ‘That’s cool,’ and I agreed.”
The Wall Center wishes to thank everyone who contributed to making the 5th Annual Race Against PH such a huge success. In addition to our corporate sponsors, we are grateful to the more than 70 volunteers who donated their time and the many local vendors who donated refreshments and services. We especially want to thank the PH community for their enthusiasm in supporting the event. Mark your calendar for the Sixth Annual Race Against PH scheduled for November 5, 2006!
