Hydrocephalus Run-Ride-Walk at Lake Elkhorn Oct. 19

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: August 27, 2008

Thanks to Terri Smith, the second annual Baltimore Hydrocephalus Run-Ride-Walk for Awareness will be held Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Elkhorn Park, in Columbia.

Hydrocephalus, commonly referred to as “water on the brain,” is a lifelong condition affecting over one million Americans from newborns to seniors. Presently there is no cure. An estimated 40,000 shunt operations are performed each year in the United States, standard treatment for this condition.

Terri’s daughter, Devin, a sophomore at Howard High School, developed hydrocephalus after a bout of meningitis as an infant. Working with the Hydrocephalus Association Terri volunteered to coordinate the first Hydrocephalus Baltimore Walk-Run-Ride Fundraiser last year. It was so successful, raising more than $9,000, that Terri was happy to organize it again.

She has help this year thanks to the efforts of fellow church member, eleven year old Selena Lee. When Terri learned Selena was raising money for the Hydrocephalus Association by selling brownies she met with the youngster and her parents to suggest they coordinate their efforts. Although living with Cerebral Palsy, Selena volunteered to be Devin’s Team Leader for the walk.

“She’s just a sweetheart”, Terri said.

All proceeds from the event will directly support the Hydrocephalus Association, a nonprofit organization, to provide support, education and advocacy to all people whose lives are touched by Hydrocephalus, including advocating for more federal support of research. Charitable contributions are tax deductible.

You can register or, if you can’t participate in the walk, donate online at www.hydroassoc.org and follow “How You Can Help” then “Walk” links to the Baltimore event. Free t-shirts will be given to those who register by Sept. 12. For more information, call Terri Smith at 410-719-2272 or e-mail hydrotsmith@comcast.net.

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