The Mitchell Thorp Foundation (MTF) 5K Walk/Run held at Thorp Field, Poinsettia Park, in Carlsbad helped raise over $158,000 for families, whose children have life-threatening illnesses, diseases or disorders.

The amount is double what has been raised since the event started two years ago, making it possible for MTF to distribute funds to assist over 18 challenged families in the San Diego region.

             This year, five of the beneficiary families addressed the crowd, including:

•         The Dalbys, whose two-year-old son, Connor, has West Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that rarely responds to medication, and which causes terrible seizures that injure the brain.

•         The Hestons, whose two-year-old daughter, Amelia, was born with multiple craniofacial abnormalities and facio-aricula vertebral malformation spectrum, which causes deafness.

•         The Ricos, whose six-year-old son, Tanner, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and 10-year-old daughter, Pria, has Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.

•         The Duartes, whose six-year-old daughter, Danae, suffers from Hydrocephalus Cerebral Palsy.

•         The Wallis’, whose two-year-old son, Izaiah, is under constant medical care at his home, following months of treatment at Rady Children’s Hospital-ICU, due to being struck by an alleged drunk driving teen. 

The Carlsbad Firefighter’s Association, Carlsbad City Council Members Ann Kulchin and Keith Blackburn, the Carlsbad High School Lancer Dancers and Excalibur Dance Team, the MTF Junior Advisory Board, the Carlsbad Eagle Scout Troop 748, and Santa Fe Christian Chamber Chorale Choir, were on hand to open the event and rally on the participants.

Several companies also supported the event, including Pacifica Enterprises, Inc.; Hitachi Data Systems; Harcourts Prime Properties in Carlsbad; Independent Financial Group, LLC; BJ’s Restaurant; and Western Environmental.

The Mitchell Thorp Foundation is a nonprofit, public benefit 501 (c) (3) organization, founded by the Thorp family, whose son, Mitchell, battled an undiagnosed illness and lost his fight at the age of 18. Payments are made directly to the vendor’s for medical expenses not covered, including transportation, medical equipment, and more. Ninety percent of all funds raised go to support qualified families. The Foundation accepts applications from families year round.  For more information visit mitchellthorp.org or call 760.603.8853.

–Press Release by MTF