As a Respiratory Therapist many years ago, I worked in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room at a large Northern Virginia hospital on the evening shift. The ?evening? shift quite often turned into the morning shift.
I remember one of those evening shifts that carried over into the next morning. A young mother was brought into the ER that evening. I remained with her from the ER to CT scan maintaining hyperventilation as it became evident her prognosis was not good. Finally relieved, in the early hours of the morning, it was finally time for me to go home. I will never forget walking through the quiet, empty lobby of the hospital at that hour and seeing her husband waiting anxiously for news of his wife. I knew more than he did at that point. There were more than a few nights that I left that hospital emotional, I remember that being one of them. His wife would die as a result of a brain aneurysm.
Timothy Susco went to South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. He graduated in 1999, the class ahead of my daughter Alexa. Tim ran track and cross country for South Lakes. He was an Eagle Scout. On August 15, 2007 Tim passed away, another young victim of a brain aneurysm. In death, Tim helped others to survive though multiple donations of organs and tissues to others awaiting transplants.
This Saturday, in cooperation with Potomac River Running and many sponsors, the Susco 8K and 2K will be held at South Lakes High School. Donations and race proceeds will be split between the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and the Washington Regional Transplant Community. In the past six years the Susco 8K has raised over $265,000 for these organizations in Tim?s memory.
In addition to the Susco 8K, Tim?s brother Tom started a blog called ?Running with Tim? to honor Tim?s memory through running. Part of Tom?s journey to raise awareness and to honor his brother, is his quest to run a half marathon in every state and the District of Columbia. As of May 2014 Tom had completed half marathons in 23 states. Here is a link to learn more http://www.susco8k.com/
If anyone is interested in joining Kim and I and I hope many others running this race tomorrow, online registration is still open today on the Potomac River Running website and you can register on site tomorrow. Race time is 8:30 am.
And here are a few more races currently on my calendar you may want to add to yours:
The Fall in Love 5K in association with the DC Capital Striders to benefit Special Love who supports children with cancer on September 27th. Sport and Spine Rehab is a sponsor. Here is a link http://www.facebook.com/groups/fallinlove5k/
The 3rd Annual Spartan Spooktacular 5K on October 25th to benefit Loudoun County?s Broad Run High School Spartan Wrestling Team. Please visit the Potomac River Running website for information and registration.
And the very next day, October the 26th join me and other members of the Sport and Spine Rehab team as we co-sponsor the Monster Mash Dash 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run in McLean, Virginia. This is another event presented by our friends at Potomac River Running, see their website for more information.
And also I want to share:
?This year I walk in honor of my Grandfather, who we recently lost to the disease. Although his body just left us, we had already lost much of his mind. Please consider making a donation to support me as I walk and try to help find a cure for Alzheimer?s. Thank you in advance?
Jennifer Del Monte ? Rehab Specialist, Sport and Spine Rehab of Sterling.
If you would like to support Jen here is a link: http://act.alz.org/site/TR?px=9670136&fr_id=5817&pg=personal
Her walk is the Walk to End Alzheimer?s Northern Virginia on September 28th.
Update on the G-Bombs diet week two (blog week 37), 160 pounds and holding, it?s definitely a change for me though.
Have a great weekend!
Curt Christiansen
Chief Operating Officer
Sport and Spine Rehab
[email protected]
