INTRODUCTION TO TEAM 1% FOR 1%

 1% of the general population completes a marathon during their lives. And, 1% of the general population is born with at least one congenital heart defect (CHD). Very few people born with a CHD are able to run marathons, but thanks to advances in cardiac surgery, 90% of babies born with a CHD now survive to adulthood. Care for adults with congenital heart defects is an ever-changing field. Medical advances have led to improved care, longer lives, and better quality of life.

Why should we, the 1% who are fortunate to be marathoners and half marathoners, care about this other 1%? In addition to being the right thing to do, there are many similarities between marathoners and CHD survivors.

 

What do marathoners and CHD survivors have in common?

•          Resilience
• A stubborn streak
• Recognition of the need to stick to schedules
• Familiarity with physical pain
• Swollen legs and joints (and sometimes even compression stockings)
• Heat intolerance
• Shortness of breath
• Personal sacrifices
• Family sacrifices
• Icing (Marathoners use ice to ease muscle and joint pain. Ice was used to cool the body during cardiac surgeries)
• Awareness of (and sometimes obsession with) our heart rate
• Reliance on nutritional support
• Pacemakers (Marathoners rely on external pacemakers to help us perform during training and races. Many CHD survivors rely on implanted pacemakers just to stay alive) 

 

What is unique to adults with congenital heart defects?

•          Coping with a lifelong serious medical condition that often impacts physical, psychological, and social  well-being
• Wondering if and when the next surgery will take place
• Anticipating a reduced life expectancy

 

So how can you help?

The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life and extend the lives of adults with congenital heart defects. Through education, outreach, advocacy, and promotion of research, ACHA serves and supports the more than one million adults with congenital heart defects, their families and the medical community.

Wouldn’t it be even more worthwhile to train and compete for a special cause? Please consider sharing this link with your friends and ask them to visit the ACHA website directly to make a donation:

https://www.achaheart.org/get-involved/donate/tribute-donation-form.aspx

Ask them to donate and sponsor your run as part of Team 1% for 1%. No donation is too small.  Please ask your friends to sponsor your run by adding your name and Team 1% for 1% in the box below the “In Honor Of” form box.  

As a fellow marathoner, I challenge each marathon and half marathon runner to raise at least $100 and $50 respectively for their next race...and I know that none of us can resist a good challenge!

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to us extending and improving the lives of adults with congenital heart defects.

Good luck,

A dedicated Team 1% for 1% runner