Friends, Family organize run for military child

By Russell Sellers, Army Flier StaffFebruary 3, 2011

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The predicament of a military child is being brought to the people of the Wiregrass community with a community 5K run and walk Feb. 12 at Wildwood Loop in Daleville.

Emma Young, daughter of Flight School student CW2 Brad Young, B Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, was recently diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease with no known cure.

With help from friends and the NephCure Foundation, an organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of potentially debilitating kidney diseases, they are running to raise funds for research into finding a cure.

Christy Young, Emma's mother, said the outpouring of support for Emma and her Family has been overwhelming.

"I'm touched that everyone would think so much of our Family," she said. "My husband has been in the military for nine years and we have always felt like our military neighbors are like a second Family."

Jessica Ruffele, military spouse and Young Family friend, helped organize the run and was responsible for contacting the NephCure Foundation about Emma.

"I was thinking about donating to a kidney foundation and when I was researching information on FSGS I came across NephCure," she said. "Most Army people run and I know the Young Family is active so I thought It would be a great way for everyone to help."

Ruffele said Emma's situation hit home for her and that it was important she find a way to help.

"If it were my kids I don't think I could accept the term 'no cure,'" she said. "I think it should be 'we're working on a cure' and maybe the money raised from this race will give them what they need to find one."

Registration for the run is from now until the day of the race. Those who wish to sign up can do so by visiting http://nephcure.org/alabama-run-walk-2011 or by calling (866) 637-4288. Registration is $20 for runners, $20 for walkers and free for children ages 12 and under.

To get to the campground where the race happens, from the Daleville gate turn left at Bojangles, then right on Old Newton Road and then follow the road to Wildwood Campground.