The Five Points of Life Foundation and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers invite you to be a part of the 7th Annual Five Points of Life Kids Marathon Hernando and the 4th annual 5K Hernando presented by Oak Hill Hospital.
The Kids Marathon and 5K are scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Target at Suncoast Crossing (3101 Aerial Way, Brooksville, FL 34604). The 5K will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the Kids Marathon will begin at 9:15 a.m.
A major goal of the Five Points of Life 5K and Kids Marathon is to raise awareness of the five ways to save a life through donation and why it is important to do so.
Blood
Every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion and only 10 percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do.
Apheresis or Platelet
Platelets are used for cancer patients and heart surgery. Plasma helps trauma and burn patients, transplant recipients and patients with clotting disorders. Platelets only last five days so donations are always needed.
Umbilical Cord Blood
Cord blood can treat more than 80 diseases. Cord blood doesn’t need to match as closely as bone marrow, making it easier to find a match. More people would donate cord blood if they knew it was free, painless and saves lives.
Bone Marrow
Bone marrow and stem cells are used to treat more than 30,000 patients each year. 70 percent of patients have no donor match in their family.
Organ or Tissue
More than 120,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant. Thirty people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. Bringing attention to the need for organ and tissue donation increases the number of registered donors. One donor can save eight lives.
The 5K race and Kids Marathon on April 6 is also a fundraiser for the Five Points of Life Foundation. The Five Points of Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a support affiliate of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. The Foundation works with blood centers, organ procurement organizations, marrow registries and community organizations to educate citizens about donation.
The family friendly event for all ages and abilities will take place at Target, Suncoast Crossing, 3101 Aerial Way, Brooksville, FL 34604.
There are two events to choose from on April 6: a Kids Marathon at 9:15 am which is a 1.2 mile ‘run or walk’ race for K-8 students in Hernando and surrounding counties or the ‘run or walk’ 3.1 mile (5K) race at 8am for all ages and abilities. The Kids Marathon is free of charge.
The 5K cost is $25 until March 29 and after that it increases to $30.
To register for the race, visit fivepointsoflife.org or call 352-224-1616; toll free 888-795- 2707 and ask for Ricky Quintana or ask your Hernando County Physical Education Teacher for more information.
