Rochester River Run/Walk 5K set for April 6

Join the Friends of Strong and the Strong Memorial Hospital Transplant Units for the 13th annual Rochester River Run/Walk to benefit our transplant patients and families.

As more patients receive organs here—including heart, liver, pancreas, and kidney transplants—many need financial assistance, both as they await operations and after. Former patients also make the trip back to Rochester for follow-up care, swelling the ranks of individuals needing help.

In 2013, the River Run/Walk raised approximately $16,000, which helped provide aid to the 104 patients who received organ transplants. But with 448 patients currently on the transplant waiting list, there remains a significant need for financial assistance to maintain the costly medical attention required as they await a donor.

Rochester River Run/Walk 5K

When: Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m. (recipient and donor ceremony at 9 a.m.)

Where: Genesee Valley Park

Registration: Sign up online at Signmeup.com/97397 until noon Friday, April 4

Proceeds: All money raised through the Rochester River Run/Walk goes to support SMH transplant patients and families

The early registration fee is $25 per person and includes a long-sleeved T-shirt, if registered by Wednesday, March 19. Race packets must be picked up at MedVed Running and Walking Outfitters, 3400 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Registration can also be completed on-site the day of the race from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Day of registration costs $30 per person, and race packets will be made available only for those registering on-site.

The 3.1-mile run/walk begins and ends at the Roundhouse Shelter. Registration gets underway at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m., local organ transplant recipients, members of donor families, physicians, and staff will gather at the Riverbend Shelter, adjacent to the Roundhouse Shelter, to take part in a brief ceremony recognizing the sacrifices and challenges that donors, recipients, and donor families have made and confront every day.

Family, friends, and co-workers may sponsor a runner by making a donation to Friends of Strong. A pair of round-trip Delta Airlines tickets will be awarded to the top pledge collector. A gift package, including a gift certificate to Trilliant Jewelers, Fairfield’s Bar & Grill, and more, will be awarded to the second highest collector. Overall top male and female finishers will receive cash gifts of $100, while $50 gift certificates to a number of top local restaurants will be awarded to the top male and female participants in each age group: 18 and under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+.

For more information or to register, visit Sign Me Up or call Friends of Strong at (585) 275-2420.

Matt Ulakovic | 3/18/2014

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