Join Valaria's Team at the MLK Day 5K Race an Help Her Find a Marrow Match

Remember Valaria Fenderson, the young girl from the Cascade area who is in need of finding a bone marrow match so she can beat the sickle-cell disease?

Well, Valaria remembers you and the support Cascade Patch readers gave her when she held a large bone marrow drive at Spelman College last year.  This year, she is taking part in the "Let Freedom Run"  MLK Day 5k at Piedmont Park and would love to have your support again.

The purpose of the race is special:

To foster fellowship and fitness in celebration of the Beloved Community that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned.

In support of that, the MLKDay 5k is working with schools, churches, community organizations and businesses to use the race as a fundraiser for their community-oriented initiatives.

Five dollars of each registration from an approved organization will be returned to that organization for use in community efforts of its choice. In other words, if 1,000 people register with Valaria Fenderson Foundation, we'll donate a check for $5,000 to Valaria Fenderson Foundation.

Team Valaria is already set up on Active.com and is listed on  www.MLKDay5K.com homepage. We are asking folks to join her team and register with Be The Match so that Valaria can find a Bone Marrow donor and live a normal life.

The Valaria Fenderson Foundation is built on the pillars of awareness, education, networking, resources and support. Their mission is to bridge the gap between those affected by sickle cell and the entities that provide the services.

A special acknowledgment is deserved to Valaria's mother, Cameca Wright.  She has been working tirelessly in support of her daughter and has been exceptional at keeping Cascade Patch informed on Valaria's progress.

Do something great this MLK Day, be the match that Valaria Fenderson needs.

What to expect at the MLK Day 5k (Music Starts at 8am, 5k line up at 8:45am)

1) Over 150 drummers lining the race course!!
2) Awesome Cool Shirts3) Professional Timing on a USATF course
4) Dance warm ups by Kim Armstrong
5) Live music featuring I Am Vincent Clark & others
6) Good ole fashion Preachers
7) A Cross Country Invitational Starting Line 200 meters WIDE
8) Beautiful Piedmont Park
9) Starbucks Coffee
10) Willy's Hot Chocolate
11) Muscle Milk
12) Food Trucks by Nectar
13) Banana's from Whole Foods
14) FREE Flu Shots - by Concentra Urgent Care
15) Be The Match Bone Marrow Drive
16) FREE Ice Skating at Park Tavern
17) Thousands of beautiful people to share the morning with