Have a heart for kidney patient: Backing Brianna in Charlotte
Marathons see this all the time: Entrants competing for a cause, raising money to help cure an illness or relieve a burden. But this is rare for masters track. The Charlotte masters nationals will see at least one such donor-based effort, though. Randell Sturgeon writes: “Brooks Fleet Feet Racing of Sacramento will be taking 38 athletes to the USATF Outdoor Masters Track and Field Championships this August to defend the team title they won in Hawaii last year. However, this year’s meet will not be about scoring points to win a trophy but rather to score points to help a teammate and her daughter.â€
Randy continues:
“Last year Fleet Feet runner Dianne McCarthy’s daughter Brianna, now age 10, was diagnosed with kidney failure and needed a transplant. Fortunately they did not have to go far to find a donor, Brianna’s mother was a match. The transplant was done this past February. She is still dealing with rejection of the kidney. Things still seem to be okay and it is a good match, but she is back in the hospital right now and struggling.
“The expenses before the surgery were large and they continue with after care. Frequent trips from Sacaramento to San Francisco for treatment, days off work and other expenses continue to mount. To help, their teammates have donated and raised money and have dedicated their competitve efforts at the nationals to help raise money.
“To kick things off the team coach Randy Sturgeon pledged to donate $1.00 for every point the team scores at nationals and challenge other team members to donate. And donate they have as several have made the same pledge and two have pledged to double the amount if the team wins outdoor nationals again. The team scored 555 points in Honolulu. One team member has pledged $100 for every personal best scored by his fellow athletes.
“If others are interested in helping with this cause they can contact Coach Sturgeon at rsturgeo@infostations.com or catch up with him at the meet in North Carolina.â€
Me again:
What a wonderful idea! I plan to make a contribution on behalf of masterstrack.com, and I hope others kick in as well. Let’s show the roadies that trackos have big hearts, too!
