First Ever Hyper Heart 5k

- What started out as a class project for two 7th graders at Lyman Moore Middle School, Lauren Paradise and Karina Boothe, has grown into the first-ever 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.  If we save one life from this event, it will all be worth it,” stated Paradise.

The Walk/Race starts at 9 a.m., at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland on Saturday, May 31st.  Registration starts at 8 a.m.  The first 25 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.

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