We were co-chairs of the 5th Annual Starfish Dash on April 9th and what an honor to be involved with such a great event!  We have been co-chairs of this event for four years and have enjoyed every one of them.  We got involved with Chromosome 18 through the Executive Director, Neale Parker, as we have known him for many years and were involved as volunteers for him in the past.  Basically, Neale just had to simply ask, and we would always say yes.  However, after learning the story behind Chromosome 18 and its founder, Dr. Cody, we were all in and wanted to bring our years of experience chairing a walk/run event to help these incredible families.  Like so many other people, we knew nothing about Chromosome 18 abnormalities and how rare they are, so we really wanted to know more and help spread the word.   

This event is extremely important to not only fundraise, but to fund programs and services and bring awareness to this rare disease as well.  It is so heartwarming to see the families that can attend in person and how much it means to them.  It gives them a chance to interact with other families that are going through the same struggles every day.  It was also important to keep a virtual component to the walk again this year, so we get to see families from around the world participate as well!  They can walk and fundraise, so we appreciate their involvement!  Please visit our Facebook Album here to see all the pictures from this awesome event! We are so excited to be part of this organization and are ready to start planning next year’s run/walk!  – Event Co-chairs, Tracy and Fred Gibbons     

 Quotes from Families, Volunteers, Staff about the 5th Annual Starfish Dash 5K Run/Walk & Health Fair 

“I had a wonderful time meeting other volunteers and participants! Everyone was so kind, and I felt really welcomed!”  – work experience student, Maria Gonzalez, Projects Assistant 

“The Starfish Dash is an awesome, fun event to be a part of and for a great cause in raising awareness to help people with chromosome 18 abnormalities.” – Becky Li, Health Special Projects Intern 

““It was great working with Chromosome 18. The organization’s staff were more than courteous to volunteers and participants and put on a great event for an amazing cause!” – Jonathan Thornton, Jr., SSgt USAF 

“It’s been a whirlwind, finding out aged 17 and a half that my son has a chromosome 18q deletion – it’s been the invisible thread that’s drawn all his difficulties together. Since finding the C18 Registry, we’ve felt welcomed, and supported so I wanted to give something back. It was great being able to participate “virtually” – we also LOVED seeing the real 5K and how happy everyone looked. We are SO looking forward to coming to Texas for Conference in July all the way from Scotland!” – June Jamieson, mom to Alex 18q- 

“I really loved seeing people come together again to support Chromosome 18!” – Kristy Holder, mom to Weston, 18p- 

“I always love seeing everyone coming across the finish line and seeing the joy on people faces, hearing the cheers and knowing that they have helped a great cause.” – Neale Parker, Executive Director

“Our BNI chapter got involved with 4 vendor tables and we meet with lots of new prospects.” – Cynthia Parsons

“My wife and I participated for the first time and we really enjoyed ourselves.” – Memo Lopez