Runner's World Cover Athletes Race 2012 Boston Marathon For Sick Children

World-Class Triathlete Desiree Ficker to Pace Runner's World Cover Talaya Frazier

International Charity World Vision Supports the Tireless Work of These Two Remarkable Women

AUSTIN, Texas, April 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Elite US runner Desiree Ficker, from Austin, Texas has just been granted a rare, last minute exception to pace Austin's Talaya Frazier in her sixth consecutive Boston Marathon wearing Skylar Salle's favorite color purple to encourage her own race to walk again. These two Runner's World cover athletes are teaming up to help children all over the world. Desiree has the Gazelle Foundation and is founder of the Ma Ficker Foundation. Talaya is Founder of the Cheyanna Foundation for Children & long-time World Vision Child Ambassador. Desiree and Talaya will present their Boston Marathon medals to Skylar upon their return.

Skylar Salle is a 7-year old girl from Austin, TX who recently emerged from an 11-day coma caused by a septic hip condition. Skylar was the best friend of Talaya's youngest daughter Cheyanna during her long battle with an undiagnosed condition. Cheyanna was eventually healed through Talaya's devoted search for answers outside of what healthcare insurance would pay for. Talaya founded the Cheyanna Foundation for Children to help other children and their families suffering with health issues who aren't as fortunate to pay for the required treatments out-of-pocket as her family did.

Desiree is a world-class long-distance runner and professional triathlete. Among her many accomplishments, she has multiple 70.3 victories, three consecutive Austin American Statesman 10K victories, a 2nd place overall finish in the 2006 Kona Ironman World Championships, a 10th place finish in the 2009 New York City marathon and a win at the 2011 Austin marathon.

Ficker says, "I feel extremely privileged to support my new friend Talaya in her quest to run Boston for Skylar Salle and the Cheyanna Foundation. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to give something back." Talaya, the current Runner's World May 2012 cover athlete, is a devoted wife, mother, model and small business owner. She races marathons and triathlons to bring hope, help and vision to children and their families as a World Vision Child Ambassador for those she can't see.

"I feel overwhelmed the Lord has brought these opportunities to help Skylar and more children in need," says Frazier. "I prayed He would send one of His angels on earth to run beside during Boston. I never dreamed He would bless me with Desiree's friendship.

The Cheyanna Foundation for Children (CFFC), a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, provides children who are sick and their families in the Central Texas area with resources to help meet children's medical needs not covered by insurance or other financial assistance. www.cheyanna.org

Talaya is part of World Vision's Austin Campaign for Children, a two-month effort to find Central Texas sponsors for 2,000 children living in extreme poverty all over the world. 
http://austincampaignforchildren.org/

World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. www.worldvision.org

If you'd like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Talaya Frazier and Desiree Ficker, please call Scott Peterson at 512.633.3300 or email Scott at [email protected]. Visit www.cheyanna.org to learn more.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.