The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) today announced the 2013 junior race director and patient champions, selected to represent the thousands of children treated at the hospital each year.
“We are so grateful to have such strong support from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children,” said Patrick Byerly, president of the Dallas Marathon. “As our primary beneficiary since 1997, the hospital truly makes the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon special for a number of our race participants. We love getting to know the junior race director and patient champions every year and look forward to sharing race day together.”
Each year, one TSRHC patient serves as the junior race director. The role includes helping participants and partners understand how TSRHC benefits from the support of friends like the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. The junior race director takes part in race-day festivities by officially counting down the start of the race, offering pre-race words of encouragement to participants, and meeting and greeting spectators and race finishers.
This year’s junior race director is 12-year-old Ann-Elise from North Richland Hills, Texas. At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish her from any other eighth grader in her class. She enjoys riding her bike, playing tennis, reading books and spending time with her friends. However, Ann-Elise was diagnosed with a common orthopedic condition called scoliosis, a curvature in her spine that requires her to wear a brace for 18 hours each day. The hospital, ranked best in the country by U.S. News & World Report for its expertise in pediatric orthopedics, provides each of their patients with an individualized treatment plan. Ann-Elise’s has been praised by doctors and staff at TSRHC for her willingness to follow their advice for success. This fact, coupled with her adventurous attitude, positive outlook on life and glowing personality make her the perfect hospital ambassador.
TSRHC and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon also announced the patient champions for 2013: Kaylee, 9, a patient treated for a hammered toe and hand deformity who loves gymnastics and wants to go all the way to the Olympics; Alfonso, 10, a patient treated for hand differences and prosthetic needs who has a passion for singing, acting and entertaining; Brianna, 18, a patient treated for hip dysplasia who dreams of becoming a U.S. marshal; Brooklyn, 4, a patient treated for spina bifida (a pediatric developmental disorder) who has a big personality and active imagination; and Case, 17, a patient treated for hip dysplasia who shines as both an academic and athletic star at school.
“The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon’s junior race director and patient champions program means a lot to the hospital and its patients every year,” said Bob Walker, president and CEO of TSRHC. “The marathon has contributed more than $3.3 million to support general patient care over the past 16 years, and we’re excited and grateful for what 2013 and the future hold.”
The 2013 full and half marathon course will run directly next to TSRHC along Oak Lawn Avenue, where hospital volunteers and patient families host one of the more popular water stops along the course.
For more information on the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon or to register to become a fundraiser, visit dallasmarathon.com. For more information on TSRHC, visit tsrhc.org.
About the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon
The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon is a flat and fast race, featuring a scenic course that highlights the best areas of Dallas including the landmark Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Texas’ oldest running marathon, the race serves as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Race activities occur the second weekend of each December and include a two-day Health and Fitness Expo; the Mayor’s Race 5K presented by Cigna and Oncor; and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Relay, and SMU Cox Corporate Relay Challenge presented by Behringer Harvard. The Dallas Marathon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; the primary beneficiary of proceeds from race weekend is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. For more information, visit dallasmarathon.com.
About Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders, and learning disorders such as dyslexia. Admission is open to Texas children from birth up to 18 years of age. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, call 214-559-5000 or 800-421-1121 or visit www.tsrhc.org.