On Sunday, May 20, 2012, my kids were able to witness and participate in a great cause… a walk/run to raise awareness and money to help find a CURE for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases, a devastating disease in which white blood cells attack the digestive system. (In “english” that would basically translate to “allergic to food”. Not just peanuts, or milk, or shellfish… ALL foods).
As we walked along with the crowd of supporters, my kids asked me tons of questions.
“Who’s Carter? What’s wrong with him? He can’t eat FOOD??? Really?? WHY?!”
Well, that’s why we were walking. To help raise money to find a CURE for this awful disease. I guess if you don’t think about it, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. It’s just… food, right? But stop and try to imagine a life without food. Having to watch your family and friends enjoy delicious foods while you just sit there and watch. It seems so cruel and unfair and even unthinkable right?
I first heard about Carter during a spin class at Body Xchange. The instructor happened to be Carter’s mom. And Carter’s mom is determined to get the word out and do anything and everything it takes to help her son. (As most moms would…) I was intrigued to learn more because I’ve seen Carter. I’ve watched him smile and laugh and run around with the other kids. On the outside, he seems just like any other playful toddler. You would never guess that he has to be fed through a tube protruding out of his belly. Or that he is constantly getting poked and prodded for test after test…
If you would like to learn more about Carter and the disease that is affecting him (along with many other kids/teens/adults), please take a minute to visit his website: Carter’s Walk 4 CURED. His page on FACEBOOK will keep you up to date on his condition as his mom, Brandy, posts frequently.
And by the way… in case you’re wondering… because of the WONDERFUL job that Brandy and her family and supporters did, the fundraiser generated over $34,000! That is amazing!! I love that our community has such great people in it! 🙂
Here are a few images I captured while walking with my family and enjoying the very-well-put-together event! Looking forward to next year… will you be there, too? 🙂
Enjoy! 🙂
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Great Job done by Brandy and her bunch…..organization and commitment to be envied! Carter is a great boy not deserving of this affliction, do what you can to help his great cause!