Photo Courtesy of Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center/Jessica Vones

 

FORT LAUDERDALE— The Saint Anthony Knights of Columbus recently hosted the fourth annual UNISHRED 5K 4 Kids, a family friendly race for all levels of experienced runners and walkers. More than 350 participants enjoyed a new scenic course, which winded through the historic Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale.

Last year’s race changed the life of double-amputee Brian Douglas, 11, a Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center “Kid’s Hero.” Brian served as the 5K 4 Kids race captain. He completed the race without the use of formal running prosthetics. This past summer he was awarded a set of new running blades from the Amputee Blade Runners and proudly debuted them at the race.

Joining him this year was race co-captain Ketsia Jean, 6, who ran her very first race. Both CDTC Heroes were welcomed by cheering fans as they crossed the finish line. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler was the Master of Ceremonies and presented Brian and Ketsia with medals.

Over $33,000 was raised from the 5K 4 Kids, sponsored in part this year by UNISHRED, a local document shredding company. The race benefits children with special needs from Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) and provides scholarship opportunities for the Saint Anthony Foundation for Education (SAFE). The Saint Anthony Knights of Columbus began the 5K 4 Kids Race as a way to help support the needy children of Broward County.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are for the wonderful men of Saint Anthony’s Knights of Columbus. The entire parish has been so generous to the center and our families.  We are truly honored to be a beneficiary of the 5K 4Kids again,” said Ana Calderon- Randazzo, executive director of Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center.

The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 11,000 children with special health care needs in Broward County. CDTC’s mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of children with special health care needs by providing them with comprehensive prevention, intervention, and treatment services, within a medical home environment.  CDTC is a nationally recognized “Center of Excellence” which offers a unique system of care for infants, children, and youths with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and developmental delays.  Medical care and social services are provided to children, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.