(Madera, California) – Valley Children’s annual Run with the Heroes event goes virtual this year, allowing families who have been impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to connect safely, bring light to Autism Awareness Month and to support George’s Pass.
Register through runwiththeheroes.com. Families can complete their virtual Run with the Heroes activity through April 30. Registration is $20 for adults; children 12 and younger are free. All registered adults receive a race t-shirt, children 12 and younger get a George’s Pass superhero cape and each registered participant will receive a commemorative medal. (Note: T-shirts are only guaranteed to adults who register by April 17.)
Activities can be anything fitness related, including a run on the treadmill, bike ride or walk around the neighborhood or a fitness class on Zoom. Throughout the month of April, participants are invited to download a special “I run for” certificate and then post it on social media. This year’s event has the capacity to include, for the first time ever, friends and loved ones across the country.
Distribution of packets will take place Friday, April 30, from noon – 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the parking lot area on the west side of the Valley Children’s Hospital campus. George’s Pass teams will set up drive-through stations that will ensure social distancing and other safety protocols are maintained. Masks are mandatory during packet distribution.
Valley Children’s George’s Pass program was founded in 2014 to make a positive impact on the hospital surgical experience for children with ASD, the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation. It includes processes and resources for staff, parents and patients to create a better, more individualized experience for all involved.
“Among the challenges we have faced over the last year due to the pandemic, feeling isolated, disconnected, confused and stressed can be the reality for many people. These feelings can be especially true for a family whose child is diagnosed with ASD,” says George’s Pass Founder Shelly Reyes. “After a year of uncertainty, our community is seeking to reconnect with others and remedy these feelings that have been magnified during these unprecedented times, now more than ever.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 54 children are identified with ASD. It can occur in all racial, social and ethnic groups, and boys are four times more likely to be impacted. Over the years, Run with the Heroes has created a welcoming, all-inclusive and sensory-friendly environment for children and their families.