Daughter inspires mom to fund-raising run
A Cape Coral mother will make an arduous 13.1-mile run in the Miami ING Half Marathon later this month to benefit Crohn’s Disease and other Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
There are approximately 1.4 million Americans diagnosed with IBD, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, with 30,000 new cases identified each year. It more commonly effects children and young adults who experience a number of symptoms such as persistent diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Kathy Bender will participate in the half marathon on Jan. 25 to raise funds for the development of a cure or new treatments to benefit thousands of young people with IBD.
“My motivation is my daughter, ” Bender said. “She is 4 years old and was 3 when she was diagnosed with a form of IBD.”
Her daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and has endured numerous physical challenges and unceasing pain, motivating Bender to take up the cause of raising money for the CCFA. Even though she has never been a runner, she’s been preparing for months for the event.
“I never ran very much other than a little bit on the treadmill once and awhile,” she said.
The CCFA set her up on a 16-week program with a coach who was a former Iron Woman Triathlete. Because there is no local CCFA team in Southwest Florida, Bender was placed on the organization’s national team.
“I started running a couple of miles a couple of times a week and then a long run on Sunday,” she said.
She started with two or three mile runs with a longer runs on Sunday to prepare her for the physically grueling 13.1 miles. This Sunday she will run for two hours and fifteen minutes without stopping and the marathon’s duration will last longer than that.
“For me it will probably be two hours and 45 minutes,” she said.
The CCFA created a Web site for Bender to receive sponsorships or donations for her run. She said that 83 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to research and development and she has pledged to raise $3,800.
“Had a couple of corporate donations, but mostly it is individuals who have chosen to sponsor me,” said Bender. “I know that all of the money would go to a good cause.”
The race begins at 6 a.m. on Jan. 25 and Bender said many of the runners are people living with Crohn’s or other IBDs. It also includes participants in wheelchairs.
For more information on donating to her cause, visit www.active.com/donate/MI09national/08KBender.
Donations made payable to the CCFA can also be sent by mail to 1701 NE 28th Street, Cape Coral, FL, 33909.