MTF 5K Raises More Than $143K for Local Critically Ill Children

The Mitchell Thorp Foundation (MTF) supports families in the greater San Diego area, whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases and disorders.  The public, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization was founded by Beth and Brad Thorp in 2009, shortly after their son, Mitchell, 18, succumbed to a non-diagnosed illness. 

Each year, the Foundation presents the 5K to support other families, who are going through a similar heartbreaking journey, as the Thorps experienced.  This year several community leaders also joined the festivities, including Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall; Carlsbad Council Members Keith Blackburn and Lorraine Wood; San Diego County Supervisor Dave Roberts; Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD)Superintendent Suzette Lovely; and CUSD Board of Trustees members, Ann Tanner, Kelli Moors, and Lisa Rodman; Carlsbad High Principal Dr. Matt Steitz; the Carlsbad Firefighters Association; to name a few. 

Several of the families that the Foundation is currently supporting, also participated in the event, including the Dalbys (Connor, 3, is suffering with the severest form of epilepsy-West Syndrome), Barvinchaks (Amanda, 19, was recently diagnosed with bone cancer), Edgins (Rebecca, 15, is battling leukemia), Ryskas (Levi, 3, is suffering with several health challenges due to the removal of a brain tumor), Wallaces (Izaiah, 3, is currently at home with his parents, recovering daily from being struck by a car, a few years ago), and Ricos (Pria, 12, is going in for her 49th surgery for tumor growths on her larynx).  Two families, whose children are well, after treatments also came to rally on the walkers and runners--the Reisers (Sam, 20, is cancer free from lymphoma) and Lords (Harry, 18, is cancer free).

–MTF Press Release