JAY – The fifth annual Hope With Every Step 5K Race/Walk and family fun day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 5) at Taglienti Field, Spruce Mountain High School in Jay.
The annual event is held in honor of Josh Brochu, 12, his sister Brooke Brochu, 9, of Jay and Emmy Rowles, 8, of Lewiston, who have been diagnosed with Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare, genetic disease that affects children.
The goal of the Hope With Every Step event is to help raise awareness and funds for medical research towards life-improving therapies and a cure for Ataxia Telangiectasia or A-T. The neuro-degenerative disease affects many body systems including the brain, lungs and immune system. A-T combines the worst symptoms of muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies and cancer.See more here.
All proceeds from the event will go to the A-T Children’s Project, a nonprofit organization which funds biomedical research and clinical centers for A-T.
The 5K registration begins at 7 a.m. The ’80s-themed race start time is 8:30 a.m. Medals and prizes will be awarded to the top 5K finishers.
Following the 5K race, the Family Fun Day will begin with a kickoff time of 10 a.m. Highlights include a lobster lunch, a gigantic inflatable obstacle course, multiple bounce houses, barrel train rides, face painting, the Walmart touch-a-truck tractor trailer, kids’ games and more. Bracelets for unlimited use of the bounce house and obstacle course will be available for $5. There will also be plenty of food available onsite for the daylong event. The one mile Hope Walk begins at 10:15 a.m. on the high school track.
The top individual fundraiser will be awarded an HP Slate7 HD tablet! Individuals or teams wishing to pre-register for the event, create a free online fundraising page and for event information, please visit: www.atcp.org/HopeStepMaine. Registration will also be available the day of the event.
The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the event in honor of Brooke Brochu. A-T has greatly affected her immune system and she receives weekly blood product treatments to support her immune system. Please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
Hope With Every Step events help to renew hope for the future. Each year that passes the symptoms of A-T are more apparent in Josh, Brooke and Emmy. Recent breakthroughs in A-T research have given the Brochu and Parker families renewed hope that doctors will find treatments and a cure for A-T.
Thanks go to the following sponsors who have made this event possible: Platinum Sponsorship ($1,000): Greg & Deb Belinda, Gerry and Maria Brochu, Mad Tents, LLC, Maine Antique Tractor Club, Thomas J McMahon Elementary School, Teachers Lounge Mafia, Dave & Carla Verelli, Verso Paper, Walmart Distribution Center 7014, Walmart Heart, Walmart Transportation 7814; Gold Sponsorship ($500): Andy’s Silkscreen/Logo Logic, Bamford’s Garage, Pediatric Associates of Lewiston, TD Bank, Walmart Auburn Store 1868, Walmart Distribution Center 6030; Silver Sponsorship ($250): 4 Winds Lobster Company, Berry Fruit Farm, Complete Dentistry, Franklin Savings Bank, Grimaldi Concrete Floor & Countertops, Horace Mann Insurance Company, Hight Chevrolet – Buick – GMC, Hillside Sports Club, Jean Castonguay Logging & Excavation Inc., Kachnovich Land Surveying, Inc., Otis Federal Credit Union, Sanders & Hanstein, PA, Smart Works Physical Therapy.
For updates on event information please visit facebook.com/ATmaine.
Please join us October 4th in honoring Josh, Brooke and Emmy as we continue to work towards finding a cure for A-T.
Free Event Admission. The event’s schedule:
7 a.m. – Registration Opens
8:30 a.m. – 5k Start–’80s Theme
10 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
10 a.m.- Kimberly Wick, vocalist
10:15 a.m. – Hope Walk
11 a.m. – Teachers Lounge Mafia
Noon – Live Auction
2 p.m. – Raffle Drawings
3 p.m. – Closing Ceremony
