Monday, April 20, 2015

Hundreds to run in ‘Miles for Smiles 5K’ to raise funds to help those with disabilities



Registration deadline for the 5k May 2nd event at Independence Oaks Park is April 29. The fee to run or walk is $30. Sign up at www.morcinc.org/events/morc-miles-for-smiles or contact Jennifer Lasceski at (586) 416-2075

By JERRY WOLFFE

A 5K run/walk at the Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston on May 2 is expected to have about 300 participants with the goal of raising at least $10,000 to provide for dental care for people with disabilities that the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Inc. serves.
It is the fourth year for the event and about 200 people ran or walked last year along the paved path in the park.
“It’s very hard to find dentists because a lot of our individuals need to be sedated to get dental work and that’s not covered by any insurance or Medicaid,” said Kerri Pfaffenberger, a speech pathologist at MORC, based in Clinton Township.
She said it can cost $1,000 alone just to sedate someone with a severe disability so a dentist can work on their teeth.
Too many times people with disabilities do not receive proper dental care and hygiene and end up in hospitals with systemic infections that result from an abscessed tooth, costing as much as $100,000, when early treatment could have prevented hospitalization.
The deadline to register for the event is April 29. Check-in for participants will be at Twin Chimneys Shelter beginning at 8:30 a.m. The 5k, or 3.1 mile race, begins at 10 a.m. There also is a one-quarter mile walk that begins shortly after the runners take off.
“We walk the course a couple of days ahead of time,” Pfaffenberger said, noting it is wheelchair accessible. “This year we are having the MORC Choir sing the National Anthem before the 10 a.m. start.”
“We were looking for alternative ways to raise money but the 5K seemed to be a very good fund-raising event,” said Pfaffenberger. “There are a lot of people in the community who participate because they enjoy the park, the cause and they know about MORC helping those with disabilities,” she said.
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female 5K run finishers overall and top three in each division: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over. Separate awards will be given for top three 5k overall walkers, Pfaffenberger said.
Prizes also include medals and gift certificates to different running stores. A “tin can” raffle will be on-site too that day.
“Response from the public has been wonderful,” said Pfaffenberger.

Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence, advocate-at-large at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at (586) 263-8950.