LADYBUG CDH FOUNDATION

For the seventh year in a row, the Ladybug CDH Foundation, will be putting on the Ladybug Run, our primary fundraising event for the Ladybug CDH Foundation.

The inspiration for this race is Miss Finley Dooley. Finley is the daughter of our race director, Liz and Finley was born with a genetic mutation called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH. CDH occurs when the diaphragm muscle does not completely close allowing the abdominal organs to migrate to the upper torso. In turn, those organs push the heart over but more importantly compromise lung development. CDH has an approximate mortality rate of 50% and typically has continued difficulties for those that do survive. This condition occurs in 1 of every 2,500 births (similar to Cystic Fibrosis) with no known predictors such as age, race, etc.

Thankfully, Finley will celebrate her eighth birthday this August.

Liz started a non-profit in 2012 to fund research as well as provide assistance to families whose child suffers from the same condition. The primary fundraising event each year is the Ladybug Run. This year, it is once again a 5K or 10K run at Cook Park in Tigard, OR on Saturday, July 21, 2018. The event also includes a diaper dash, children’s fun runs and a 10K relay (2 people, so ideal for parents watching kids during the other parent’s leg). For those not in the Portland metro area, there is an option for a virtual run.