Clyde's Run

This morning Jessica and I signed on to help our friend Jill coordinate and execute this year's Clyde's Run. Jessica and I are the logistics crew the day of the race, and I'm not sure that we knew what we were getting ourselves into :) However, it's going to be a great time and a great learning experience!

Clyde's Run is a 5K race in Mountain Park that raises money for Prader-Willi Syndrome. This event is held in memory of Clyde Mays, a poster child of successful PWS management, who died at age 24 from complications of the syndrome. What is Prader Willi Syndrome?

• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. It occurs in males and females equally and in all races. Prevalence estimates have ranged from 1:8,000 to 1:25,000 with the most likely figure being 1:15,000. PWS typically causes low muscle tone, short stature if not treated with growth hormone, incomplete sexual development, and a chronic feeling of hunger that, coupled with a metabolism that utilizes drastically fewer calories than normal, can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity. The food compulsion makes constant supervision necessary. Average IQ is 70, but even those with normal IQs almost all have learning issues. Social and motor deficits also exist. It's not something that I had ever heard of until recently, and it feels really good being a part of a program to help find a cure for this syndrome.