SEA ISLE CITY – Peyton Laricks of Sea Isle City has much to celebrate this Spring: her second birthday on March 31st, and a special event commemorating her beating the odds of survival when she was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). The 2nd Annual “Peyton’s Promise” 5K Run / 2K Walk will take place on Saturday, May 15th at 9:30am on the promenade in Sea Isle City.
CDH, which occurs once in approximately 2500 live births, is a birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not fully form, allowing abdominal organs to enter the chest cavity, which prevents lung growth. A highly invasive heart and lung bypass treatment is often required to help the lungs rest and grow properly, but even so, approximately 50% of babies with the defect die.
Today, looking at Peyton’s sparkling eyes, radiant smile and brilliant blonde hair, you would never guess that her life began with a condition that had her spending 88 days in intensive care, 12 days on life support and multiple surgeries.
“It is the hardest thing in life, seeing your child sick and not being able to just fix it immediately,” said Peyton’s daddy, Dustin Laricks. “But to be able to watch the team of doctors and nurses from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia take such excellent care of Peyton was incredible.”
Peyton’s mommy, Debbie, agreed, adding that even though Peyton, like other CDH babies, may have to deal with residual health issues in the future, they plan to celebrate her survival every year with the upcoming fundraiser for CHOP. “It is our way of returning the favor,” said Debbie. “We want to ‘pay it forward,’ and help raise awareness and money for research to help the 1,600 babies born each year in the US with CDH.”
Registration for the event begins at 9:30am on May 15th on the promenade at JFK Boulevard in Sea Isle City. The cost is $25 for adults, $10 for kids 5-12 years old, and kids under 5 participate for free. There will be a post-event family-friendly party with food, drinks, music and more at the Springfield Inn/Carousel, on the beach at 43rd Street.
For more information or to donate, visit www.peytonspromise.com
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