The fourth annual Alexander’s Run, supporting The Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Program, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The day’s events include a USTAF certified 5K race through historic Trenton and a 1-Mile Family Costume Fun Run/Walk.
The 5K begins and ends in Mill Hill Park at 9 a.m. and the course takes runners and walkers through historic Trenton, tracing Washington and Sullivan’s routes into the Battle of Trenton and passing the Old Barracks.
The 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 9:45 a.m. Runners and walkers of all ages are encouraged to participate in the events.
The Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to celebrate the memory of Alexander and the joy he brought to all those around him.
Alexander was born on May 3, 2007, to Dodson and his wife, Michelle Emerson. At just 19 ½ months old, he passed away in his sleep. This fund helps support educational opportunities for children in Trenton.
“We continue to be incredibly thankful for the support of our sponsors, participants and volunteers that help us keep Alexander’s memory alive and allow us to raise funds to continue to sponsor summer enrichment/educational opportunities for Trenton kids,” said Dan Dodson, course director.
The SUDC Program was created at the CJ Foundation for SIDS in September 2001 by two mothers, Laura Crandall and Chelsea Hilbert, who lost their toddler aged children to SUDC and approached the CJ Foundation for support and answers.
Today, the SUDC Program raises research funds and provides a centralized resource for information, support and advocacy. It serves families and professionals affected by the tragedy of SUDC, and promotes awareness of SUDC in communities.
SUDC occurs in children over the age of 12 months. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, assigned when all known causes of death have been ruled out
Its incidence is approximately 1.2 deaths per 100,000 children. In comparison, the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is 45 times more common.
There is no known way to reduce the risk of SUDC. It is unpredictable and unpreventable at this time. Most SUDC deaths occur between the ages of 1 and 3, but researchers have looked at cases of children as old as 15.
The SUDC Program relies solely on private donations from events such as Alexander’s Run and uses monies for research, advocacy and support services to families and medical professionals worldwide.
“We are devastated not knowing what caused Alexander’s death, and hope that our fundraising efforts will aid in finding a cause and eventual prevention to SUDC,” said Run director Michelle Emerson. “The SUDC program has been an enormous help to us in dealing with our loss and we are grateful for the services they are able to provide families.”
Registration for both the 5K and the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is available online until Oct. 25 at alexandersrun.org/Registration.php. Pre-registration (ends Oct. 17) for the 5K is $20.
The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk registration is $10; children 5 and under are free. Day of race registration begins at 7:30 a.m. (cash or check only). All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a T-shirt.
Sponsorship opportunities for Alexander’s Run are available, for more information contact Michelle Emerson at sponsors@alexandersrun.org or download the form from the website.
More information on the Run, including registration and how to donate, can be found online at alexandersrun.org. Alexander’s Run is also on Facebook (facebook.com/AlexandersRun) and Twitter (@AlexandersRun).
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