3rd Annual MTF 5K Walk/Run to Support Severely Ill Kids

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The third annual Mitchell Thorp Foundation (MTF) 5K Walk/Run to support families, whose children are suffering with life-threatening illnesses, diseases or disorders will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 9 a.m. at Thorp Field at Poinsettia Park, Carlsbad, CA. Since the event began two years ago, over $140,000 has been raised, making it possible for MTF to distribute $126,000 and assist over 18 challenged families in the San Diego region.

Applications come in weekly for assistance. Newest among the beneficiaries is two-year-old Connor Dalby, who has West Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that rarely responds to medication, and which causes terrible seizures that injure the brain.  Connor's parents have taken him to doctors both in and outside the country.  To date, they have found only one physician, who has been trying an experimental, cutting edge treatment to treat the disorder in Los Angeles. Since the treatment a month and a half ago, Connor has begun making eye contact, and the vision he lost, has returned, but he needs two more costly treatments. 

Another beneficiary is the Rico family, whose children have severe health challenges. Six-year-old Tanner has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and 10-year-old Pria has Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis. Pria has undergone 30 plus surgeries on her larynx, to date. MTF is also helping raise funds for two-year-old Amelia Heston, who was born with multiple craniofacial abnormalities and facio-aricula vertebral malformation spectrum, which causes deafness. Amelia has been designated as a perfect candidate for an auditory brain stem implant (ABI), but needs the delicate procedure now for it to be successful.  

The Foundation also continues to assist the family of two-year-old Izaiah Wallis, who is under constant home medical care, following months of treatment at Rady Children's Hospital-ICU, after being struck by an alleged drunk teen driver a year ago.

Funds generated from 5K Walk/Run benefit the Foundation; a nonprofit, public benefit 501 (c) (3) organization, founded by the Thorp family, in honor of their son, Mitchell, who battled an undiagnosed illness and lost his fight at age 18. Payments to support the children are made directly to the vendors for medical expenses not covered, including transportation, equipment, etc.; and 90 percent of all funds raised go to support qualified families.

To register for the MTF 5K Walk/Run, or for information, visit www.mitchellthorp.org or call 760.603.8853.

SOURCE Mitchell Thorp Foundation