More than CDKL5 Awareness Sponsors: Stories of Run4Hope Relationships

 

As we begin our final preparations (7 days left!)  for Hope4Harper’s 4th Run4Hope 5K and Family Fun Run, I look over our list of event sponsors. There are businesses and organizations that have been with Run4Hope from the beginning. And each year they enthusiastically return, ready to offer their support for seizure research and Epilepsy awareness.

REGISTER HERE AS A PARTICIPANT IN 2015 RUN4HOPE

I see new logos too, on our list of Run4Hope Sponsors, and I am grateful that Harper’s cause has resonated with these first-year supporters. That means HOPE and awareness is growing! I would like to offer more than my thanks by writing down for you the stories behind the relationships that were formed before and since Harper’s CDKL5 diagnosis.

 

For 3 years, HempMeds has sponsored Run4Hope and we thank them for their support again this year! I can’t say enough about them and their awesome product. Because of them Harper is now an interactive member of our family. See a timeline of Harper’s experience with Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO).

 

 

Years ago I was designing flyers for work and realized I didn’t want to print and fold them all so I took them to the company advertised on my favorite red water cup. Alphagraphics of Carrollton BAM! They printed and folded and I was done in time for a convention for which they were needed. Fast forward to March 2011. We had spent the prior 11 months surviving our family’s HELL on Earth with our youngest daughter’s diagnosis and our “new normal” life of special needs and medical expenses, insurance lifetime maximums and Medicaid. We wondered how we could use Harper’s 1st birthday to help and spread the word about her disorder because up until that point we had kept it all confined to immediate family only. IDEA: A Birthday Flyer and announcement of Hope4Harper.com so our loved ones could follow her progress and our families needs. I took it to Alphagraphics of Carrollton for printing seeing as I had such good previous experience with them. WHO KNEW THEY READ WHAT THEY PRINT? When I went in to pick up the flyer, Martie comes out and asked if I had moved to a different job. I said no. Then she asks, “Who’s Harper?” I turn the infant seat around to face her and say, “My Daughter!” She hugged me, I cried, and the company moved to rally around us in support of everything we do to help spread awareness and help Harper’s small nonprofit grow and accomplish big things! We love the heart of Alpha Graphics. Thank you for being a sponsor of 2015 Run4Hope!

 

My family’s church home for over 22 years is a Sponsor of Run4Hope for another year. Thank you First Church of Carrollton! Dustin and I were married there and each our children were baptized there. First Church was there for my family when my sister sustained life threatening injuries from a swimming accident (that she fully recovered from over time) and First Church is a family that bows down and lift us up again as we walk this journey with Harper.

 

D. Alan Bowlby & Associates is a 4-year sponsor of Run4Hope! A provider of tax preparation services, this is also the company of a Team Member, Family Friend and Church Family! The one that stood up and said, “Harper needs you, let us help you be there for her.” Thank You D. Alan Bowlby & Associates for your commitment to Harper and seizure research and awareness.

 

 

 

Thanks to sponsor Movin’ Pictures , a video of 2015 Run4Hope will be posted on their webpage after the race. They have the 2014 race posted too. They did an awesome job last year and expect the same fun picture taking this year as well. Thank you Movin’ Pictures for supporting seizure research and awareness.

 

Next time it’s mealtime, stop at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and tell them THANKS for sponsoring 2015 Run4Hope. We Love Chicken Fingers and they liked Harper! LOL We visit the store on Hebron Parkway.

 

 

 

Glade Graphics is supporting Run4Hope. A 4th-year Sponsor, and 10 + year friend. Our oldest daughters are one day apart! She provided promotional items for me at my previous place of business before children were even a part of our busy lives. From the beginning, of our journey through parent hood, Alicia and I have leaned on each other for support. And when Harper came along she brought her company with her to help Harper’s cause. She has donated, time, materials and recruited volunteers for many of our events over the years. She forces me to have mommy time with the kids when we gather our children together for a playdate and also some ‘me’ time when she insists I meet her for lunch! Alicia is a selfless person with a giving heart. If anybody needs promotional items this is your girl! www.gladegraphics.net

 

Children’s Dental Specialists | Richardson & Carrollton, TX is a 4 year sponsor of Run4Hope and we thank them for their continued support of seizure research and Epilepsy awareness. They are also our children’s dentist. They clean their teeth every 6 months and were recently there for us when Harper lost her first 2 teeth.

 

Kohl’s has provided unpaid volunteers Run4Hope 5K and Fun Run for the past 4 years. My mom is an employee and has been with the company for over 9 years. We are so glad that she works for such a great store that came together in support of her granddaughter and continues to do so each year.

My mom is enormously helpful in helping Dustin and I care for our children and get much needed recovery time from providing such extensive care. THANKS MOM and Kohl’s too!

 

Epic Health Services is where Harper gets her fantastic nurses from. The nurses are a huge help to Harper’s stability and ability to stay at home with us, even when she’s fighting illnesses that could hospitalize her due to her disorder. Her nurses are front line aid and great in communicating Harper’s health status and needs to her appropriate doctors. This has allowed me to have fun being her mom. THANK YOU Epic Health Services, a first-year sponsor of Run4Hope.

 

Although a separate entity from First Church they have worked closely together with Carrollton Christian Academy for years. Because of that, CCA is familiar with Harper and our family. When Lily was ready for cello lessons their band director gave us great advice regarding her age and unusual instrumental choice. They have allowed Hope4Harper to participate in their open house for the last three years and have also rallied around our family in the form of supportive prayer. And again, they are sponsoring Run4Hope. Thank you CCA!

 

SPARKABILITIES! They have sponsored Run4Hope for the last 2 years. They have been a part of our family for 7.5 years now. I LOVE their educational children’s apps and DVDs. They are my go-to baby shower gift. EVERY Parent with an infant-toddler should know about Sparkabilities !!

 

A few years ago, the Carrollton Evening Lions Club heard about Harper and invited me to a meeting to share her story with them. We gratefully attended and I embarrassingly cried through my speech! They have volunteered their time and effort at Run4Hope over the years by passing out water and cheering on participants all in the name of seizure research and Epilepsy awareness. Thank you Carrollton Evening Lions Club!

 

 

I became aware of Elite Care 24 Hour Emergency Room- Coppell after they sponsored last year’s Run4Hope. When Dustin (Harper’s Father) became so ill it was apparent emergency medical care was needed I remembered Elite Care and sent him straight there on the night of Father’s Day Sunday 2015. They took amazing care of him! The place was not over crowded and full of germs (which is a big deal when he’s coming home to a special needs child with a compromised immune system). The facility was clean and the medical care was professional. They provided IV, medication and a diagnosis of Diverticulitis. He was home in 2 hours stable and in recovery with care instructions for diet needs etc. We welcome back Elite Care 24-Hour Emergency Room as a 2-year sponsor of Run4Hope. 

 

  

 

 

Alpha Energy Laboratories, Inc. was my first real job out of college. I helped expand their sales and product line and when my family experienced unexpected circumstances that needed extra attention. They cared! Along with their sister company Bio-Aquatic Testing, they worked with us and supported us and continue to do so every step of our journey. My thanks to them both for sponsoring Run4Hope for a fourth year.

 

BIG YUMMY THANKS to J. Macklin’s Grill in Coppell – They are a 3-year sponsor of Run4Hope. The Team Breakfast is my favorite part! Bring on the pancakes and Thank You JMac!

 

Big D Vacuum in Carrollton is a 4-year sponsor of Run4Hope. And the company’s owner has supported me and watched me grow from birth to the mother I am today. He is my dad. That man has taught me what it means to sacrifice as a parent and his vacuums we have in Harper’s house are used daily to keep her environment as clean and germ free as possible.

 

Elite Plumbing – in McKinney, TX

The owner of this company raised a son that become the best Dad I have ever met (next to my own!) He taught Dustin how to work hard, follow through, and enjoy life no matter where it leads you. His company was there for us in 2014 when our home’s slab foundation busted and filled our closet and garage with water. Lily has always wanted a swimming pool but inside my house is where I drew the line! Gilbert has a great sense of humor which can be seen in Lily! Thank you Elite Plumbing in McKinney for sponsoring Run4Hope for 4 years!

 

Boy Scout Troop 121 in Carrollton –

These guys know how to work! We are grateful to them for their support of Run4Hope for another year. They get there early, set up tables in the dark, and haul all the stuff from the cars to the event grounds. A few short hours later they pack it all up and haul it back! THANK YOU for what you do.

 

THANK YOU Water Event for your support of Run4Hope and for being a 4 year sponsor! They are amazing members of our church family and have provided water at any event in which Harper has needed it.

The Mercy Run has sponsored Run4Hope for two years. I met them through a Run Team member. Mercy passed away shortly after birth and was the daughter of their founder. The mission of The Mercy Run is to support siblings in life after loss. It was at their Run last year I picked up a book for children that discussed funerals. This book I gave to Lily and Harper when GG passed away. It is what helped me help them deal with and understand this final phase of life. The Mercy Run is Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Andy Brown Park EAST in Coppell, TX. Start time is 8:00 am.

 

 

Welcome Josey Ranch Pet Hospital​ as a 1st year sponsor of Run4Hope. They have taken care of our family’s dog Petey Howard for 12 years and Harper’s grandmother’s dog for the past seven… Harper appreciates that! Thank You Josey Ranch Pet Hospital!

 

 

Ameriprise Financial and Financial Advisor Ricky Perez are also a first year sponsor. Welcome to Run4Hope and thank you for supporting seizure research and Epilepsy awareness.

 

One of our team members took their daughter to Lewisville Volkswagen (now Hendrick VW of Lewisville) to purchase her first car. When they learned about Harper, they were happy to support seizure research and awareness. We love when Kelly brings her Great Dane each year to the event. Thank you for four years of sponsoring Run4Hope!

 

Run4Hope “Run Team”

Finally, I am grateful to my Run Team and Virtual Volunteer! THANK YOU! First it was my family that held us up as we began this unknown adventure with Harper. Then our church stepped behind them and provided the strength we would all need as we walked blindly with Harper through her life. From that foundation an amazing Team formed that the first year did everything for us, without us, as we merely tried to survive. That Team is now the foundation of Hope4Harper. They plan, prepare and work all year for this event. Run4Hope would not and could not happen without them and my virtual volunteer. The lady who saw us on the news and said “I can help you!” She has become a part of our Hope4Harper family and everything you see online is there because of her! I thank each team member and their families for volunteering their time and effort in the midst of their own life’s celebrations and heartbreaks! You all live in a way that has shown Dustin and I what it really means to “love thy neighbor!”

 

 

We hope to see you at Run4Hope

5K Run to support CDKL5 and Epilepsy awareness.