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5th Annual Hope in Grace Family Fun Run/Walk

Saturday, April 26th in Blaine

April 4, 2014
Believe it or not, spring is coming! Here is your chance to combine family fun, family fitness, and supporting a wonderful cause that will impact many families facing difficult medical diagnoses in the local area. 

Here are the statistics. According to the Center for Disease Control, congenital heart defects affect about 1% of births in the United States each year, about 40,000 babies every year. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States. Congenital heart defects are a leading cause of birth defect-associated infant illness and death. 

Then there are the stories. In particular, there is the story of Grace. Beloved daughter. Beautiful sister. Niece, granddaughter, cousin, precious baby girl. Born a triplet, along with brother, Tyler, and sister, Sophia, on Monday, September 8, 2008, Grace Lillian was born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome, a complex combination of several congenital heart defects. But she was so much more than her complicated diagnosis. She lived a beautiful life full of perseverance, life lessons, patience, joy, smiles, and happiness in the face of many, many obstacles. 

Although her life was filled with more doctor’s appointments, surgeries, hospitalizations, and medical
procedures than any person, and especially any baby, should endure, her smile still lit up every room. Her eyes still shone with joy. She still lived with amazing courage. Sadly, Grace passed away the day she was scheduled for her third open heart surgery, one day shy of turning 10 months old. 

What can a person do with that much sadness? How can a person begin to channel that tragedy into meaning? Jaclyn and Tony established a non-profit, Hope in Grace, which has helped them find meaning in such an unthinkable loss. Through this non-profit, they hope that Grace’s story will continue to impact the lives of others, even after her death. They hope Grace will never be forgotten. And they use their non-profit to raise awareness and funds for families who receive a diagnosis of a congenital heart defect.

Hope in Grace has a major fundraiser each spring, The Hope in Grace Family Fun Run/Walk. This year, it will be held on Saturday, April 26. Same day registration and family activities begin at 2:00 pm at the Lakeside Commons Park in The Lakes of Blaine. The race starts at 3:00 pm. With a 2.5 mile walk and a 5 mile run, aim for your fastest time or pull the kids in the wagon, this race has something for everyone. Along with the fun run/walk, there is a silent auction, children’s games, face painting, and crazy hair. There will be gourmet Cakes from Grace cupcakes and food from Tiki Tim’s food truck, available for purchase. This day offers a great chance to get the kids out to enjoy spring and have fun as a family.

In the four years since Hope in Grace was established, it has raised $75,000 to reward pediatric intensive care nurses at Amplatz Children’s Hospital and to support pediatric cardiology research at the University of Minnesota. 

Adult event registration is $25/person until April 6th and $30 after April 6th. Registration before April 6thincludes an event T-shirt. T-shirts cannot be guaranteed with late registration. Participation for children 12 years old and younger is included with the registration of a supervising adult. Children’s T-shirts are not included, but can be purchased in advance for $10 each.

Registration, event details and other ways to support Hope in Grace can be found on our website: www.hopeingrace.org. Hope in Grace is a 501(c)3 non-profit so all donations are tax deductible. 

Bring the whole family out for a wonderful day of family fun supporting this great cause. Your presence at this fun event will change lives, bring hope to families facing medical difficulties, and help remember and celebrate the beautiful life of Grace.