Want this year's t-shirt? Venmo Jon-Ropella the number of shirts and size(s). $10 each. Shirts will be available for pickup the morning of the event!

Kate, 4, was diagnosed at birth with LCHADD (Long-Chain Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency), a type of FAOD (fatty acid oxidation disorder). LCHADD is a rare metabolic disorder that prevents Kate’s body from converting certain fats into energy. Because of this, her body breaks down her muscles for energy, leading to neuropathy, frequent hospitalizations, and the possibility of sudden death. Thankfully, newborn screenings have helped improve diagnosis, and treatment options have increased the survival rate. However, ongoing health problems, such as heart failure, blindness, and disability, continue to be high even with treatment. LCHADD currently affects about 1 in 250,000 births with Wisconsin typically diagnosing 1 case every 3-4 years.

The good news is, research for LCHADD is very promising! We have teamed up with a family in Kentucky whose little boy, Sawyer, was born with TFP (trifunctional protein deficiency), another rare type of FAOD. Currently, there are less than 100 documented cases worldwide and no one living past the age of 32. 

Dr. Jerry Vockley, with Pittsburg Children’s Hospital, is the world’s leading specialist on metabolic disorders. His research is working towards a cure for LCHAD, TFP, and other FAODs. In 2021, he was close to an effective treatment, but government funding was lost due to COVID redirection and has yet to be restored. This is why we have teamed with Sawyer’s family to help Dr. Vockley’s search for a cure. BLESSINGS OVERFLOW, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to funding critical TFP and LCHAD research. We partner with Sawyer’s family to raise money and donate 100% of the proceeds directly to the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. These funds are earmarked for Dr. Vockley’s lab and his team’s life-saving work. 

This will be our third year hosting the 5Kater, a 5K walk with family and friends, and we’ve raised over $10,000 the past two years, which contributed to the over $500,000 raised by Sawyer’s Race for Research to date. This money has helped keep Dr. Vockley’s research going, speed up major breakthroughs, and shorten the timeline for life-saving therapy by years!

We would be honored to have your support through any donations possible. We will be including a raffle at the 5Kater and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to research. We’re proud to be a part of the progress that’s been made, and improving the outlook for kids like Kate and Sawyer.

• Donations can be made in person on the day of the event.
• Donations also be made directly through Sawyer’s Race for Research website, Sawyer’s race in Kentucky, found at this link. 

In addition to the 5k, 1k, and kid's fun run, this year's event will also include:

• silent auction
• face paint
• drinks for sale from Bar Carte Co.
• complimentary food and drinks