March 1, 2014 – Durham, NC
Community race benefiting the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance
On March 4, 2012, Florence McDow, a vibrant, resilient 6-year-old Durham girl, died from autoimmune encephalitis (AE), a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the brain. March 4 is the only day of the year that is also a command: to “march forth.”
When Florence received treatments for AE, she often wore her favorite pink cape. The Florence Forth logo prompts us to put on our superhero capes every day to conquer our fears, to improve our community, to change the world.
The Florence Forth Road Race is more than a tribute to this courageous child. Florence Forth is a call to change the trajectory of a rare disease. In December 2012, Leslie and Will McDow, along with other families, began the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance to improve diagnosis and clinical care of patients with AE.
During Florence’s illness, Leslie and Will found comfort and community in running. They haven’t stopped running. And they haven’t forgotten the community. In 2013, the first Florence Forth road race attracted 700 runners, 120 volunteers and more than 20 business supporters to raise $11,000 for the Duke Children’s Hospital’s Autoimmune Brain Disorders Clinic.
Florence Forth is a benefit race for the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance. The Durham-based global nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes collaboration to improve clinical care, find a cure and create community so that no one faces autoimmune encephalitis alone. Runners can join with patients, families and the AE medical community as we celebrate progress and continue the fight.
This chip-timed race on a certified course will challenge the serious runner and warm hearts. Florence Forth has something for everyone – a competitive 10k race with cash prizes, a 5k run or walk, a super kids’ cape run and many volunteer opportunities. Florence Forth offers a team competition for teams in three categories: fastest, largest and best fundraising teams. Run hard! You could win an age-group award produced by a local metalsmith. Stay around after the race for the post-race celebration on Ninth Street.
For more race information visit FlorenceForth.org or register at SportOften.com. Read more about the AE Alliance and see a short film about AE and Florence Forth at AEalliance.org.
