Deployed runners hold benefit race; funds aid youth heart patient outreach

By 1-43rd Air Defense ArtilleryNovember 21, 2013

Hearts for heroes
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Recently, service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines came together for a 5K run to help raise funds and awareness for Heart Heroes Inc.

The event sponsored by "Team Hyperion" of 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, raised more than $2,700 for the organization which provides superhero capes for children being treated for congenital heart defects.

The inspiration for the fundraiser came from a TV news report about Heart Heroes. It featured Tandi Rasmussen of New York state, and her son, Dylan, age 6. who had received one of the capes as he faces medical challenges and ongoing heart surgeries.

After viewing the news report, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Shackelford and 2nd Lt. Rebecca Van Beurden contacted the organization and began planning a Heroes Helping Heroes event. With the support of local Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp and Army commands, the event quickly took shape.

After receiving command approval to host the event, Shackelford and Van Beurden recruited the creative talents of Staff Sgt. Ryan Courts. His contributions to the event's Facebook page design and local advertising resulted in the participation of almost 300 service members.

The air base commander along with Capt. Khristina Allen, Team Hyperion commander, opened the event with a few words about the Heart Heroes organization. The race participants then started running, all wearing the name of a young heart hero living with a congenital heart defect.

The Heroes Helping Heroes banner will be mailed back to Heart Heroes to share with its team of little heroes.

"This event was a great success and a great capstone project for Team Hyperion to wrap up their deployment on a positive note," said Shakelford.