Description

This year marks our 6th Annual Reef's Run for Hydrocephalus Awareness! We will come together again on Sunday, September 10th, 2023 at the beautiful Round Hill Pines Resort. Check-in and day-of registration begins at 7:30 am and the run begins at 9:00 am. Racers can don costumes on this Fun Run / Walk / Stroll through picturesque Lake Tahoe. Participants can enjoy coffee, water, juice, and snacks before the race, a complimentary beer, for those over 21, after the race, as well as light snacks and desserts. After the run, you can enjoy our silent auction, raffle, and activities for the kids. Net proceeds will be going to charitable foundations actively searching for a cure for hydrocephalus, charities helping families in need, and directly to families in need, on a word-of-mouth basis. Last year we were able to give over $12,000 to local families in need!

Hydrocephalus is a little-known condition that affects more than 1,000,000 Americans, including my son Reef. Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that causes the ventricles in the brain to become enlarged. Reef was born 9 weeks early and developed Hydrocephalus due to complications of prematurity. Before Reef was 17 months old, he had undergone 6 brain surgeries due to malfunctioning shunts. Right now, Reef has been brain surgery-free for 5 1/2 years! He could need surgery again tomorrow or never again. We pray we can help be a part of finding a cure within his lifetime. 

This unique event will spread smiles, a sense of community, and a winning spirit. This event will not only raise awareness for hydrocephalus, which affects 1-2 in every 1,000 babies born, but it will also help to raise funds to support research for a much-needed cure. The only treatment for hydrocephalus is brain surgery, and 38,000 operations are performed annually, that’s one every 15 minutes.

Our goal is to help raise awareness for a condition most have never heard of before. My son, as well as all the other children and adults with hydrocephalus, deserve a cure. A tomorrow free from the fear that their shunt may malfunction at any moment. Please help us fight for their better tomorrows.