2nd Annual Hyperheart 5K to Benefit Deadly Heart Ailment

What started out as a class project for two 7th graders at Lyman Moore Middle School, Lauren Paradise and Karina Boothe, now in 8th grade, will be the second annual HyperHeart 5K Walk/Race to raise awareness and funds for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a rare heart disorder that is often not discovered until after a person passes away.

Because both girls have had relatives touched by HCM, they worked together on a class project focusing on this disease and their enthusiasm led them to organize a race highlighting the need for greater awareness and funds to help people get tested for HCM.  Lauren’s aunt was diagnosed with HCM after collapsing and being revived in 1999 at the age of 44; sadly, Karina’s mother passed away from HCM in 2006 at the age of 39.

“After working on the project, we realized we wanted to do something that could help others.  We learned the importance of making people be aware of HCM, and to get tested if there is any history of HCM in their family.  Unfortunately, HCM is not talked about a lot, and isn’t usually discovered until after it is too late.  We had such positive results last year that we are excited about it growing this year and making even more of a difference. life from this event, it will all be worth it.  It’s great to see more people at school getting involved in the event so it is becoming more of a school activity, whereas last year was basically just the two of us doing most of the work.  We’re getting a lot of help from other students and teachers,” stated Paradise.

The Walk/Race starts at 9 a.m., at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland on Saturday, May 30th.  Registration starts at 8 a.m.  The first 50 registrants will receive free t-shirts.  Entry fee for the walk or run is $20 for anyone over 14; $15 for ages 7-14; and $10 for ages 6 and under.  Because the event is focused on fun and raising money, the race will not be timed for runners or walkers.  The race starts and ends at Lyman Moore Middle School.

All money raised will be presented to the American Heart Association for HCM testing and assistance.