The inaugural RP Warrior 5k Walk raised over $26,000 to help fuel relapsing polychondritis research.
As Dan Smith lay in an ICU bed last year, he made a promise to himself, his son, and the relapsing polychondritis (RP) community. He promised that if he got better, he would organize a RP-focused 5k walk. His reason? Give back to the people who have helped him along his journey, including RP Foundation Vice Chair, Mike Linn. Dan made good on his promise the weekend of October 23, 2022.
RP is a rare, systemic, degenerative, inflammatory condition that affects all cartilage in the body. Very few doctors, let alone the public, are aware of the disease and funding for research is scarce. Dan’s hope for the event was to increase awareness while raising funds for research.
The event exceeded his expectations.
From California to Israel and Canada to Florida, RP Warriors and their supporters showed up in a big way. Twenty-five teams and dozens of individuals participated in the inaugural RP Warrior 5k Walk. They raised over $25,000 from more than 260 donors. Dan’s son designed and sold t-shirts. The proceeds from the t-shirt sales brought the grand total to over $26,000!
“It was a great first year. I never dreamt it would be this big. The bar has been set.” – Dan Smith, RP Warrior 5k Walk Organizer
Dan dedicated to the RP Warriors who have passed and showed him how to live gracefully with RP.
‘It was a beautiful day’ in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Natalie Boivin and her three sisters (Nicole, Julie and Michèle) organized the Northern Warriors team in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. She said the weather had been terrible the day before her team’s walk, but they woke up to blue skies and sunshine. She said, “It was a beautiful day” as they walked through a local park.
The Northern Warriors team had 24 walkers and raised nearly $6,000!
Following the walk, Julie hosted a chili cookout to help thank everyone for their participation.
Natalie has a message for newly diagnosed patients. “It is scary and overwhelming but always have hope because of the research.”
Puppies and a Block Party in Atlanta, Georgia
Jamie St. Eve organized a team of 15 humans and 10 dogs in Atlanta, Georgia! It was tremendous accomplishment considering she’d spent time in the ER in August and September.
Jamie says the t-shirts designed by Dan’s son helped generate a lot of awareness. “People kept coming up and asking us what we were walking for. It was a great tool to help spread RP awareness in the broader community.”
Jamie also hosted a block party after her team’s walk. And many of her neighbors pitched in. A few played live music. Others donated food, including Chik-fil-A catering. Several donated to help fuel RP-related research. Nearly 100 people showed up to learn more about RP and support Jamie. She said, “It was truly amazing.”
Jamie plans to make the Atlanta event even bigger next year. She has plans to organize a large community walk to rival those for breast cancer, her health permitting.
Looking Ahead to 2023
Dan has plans to make the RP Warrior 5k Walk even bigger next year. Natalie and Jamie plan to help him. We’ll be sure to share the details as soon as we have them.
But you don’t need to wait until then to contribute to this amazing cause. Click here to support the RP Warrior Walk.
