2016 BUG RUN by Amy Vrban – Race Director

 WRITTEN BY AMY VRBAN –
BUG RUN RACE DIRECTOR

I don’t know if I can ever adequately thank everyone that is involved in the Jadon’s Hope Bug Run year after year! But, I will continue to try! Thank you to you all so very much! From volunteers, to participants, the City of Olathe, our sponsors, vendors, Rolling Ridge, our families and the Bug Run committee! What an amazing group of people coming together to support each other and RUN TO END SMA!! This was the biggest year yet and good things are happening in our community!! With all your help and support the Jadon’s Hope Foundation continues to be able to provide support to other children and families battling SMA and other childhood diseases! People helping people! What a blessing!

Jadon and his family have taught me many things. One of them being, “dance in the rain.” I keep this in mind daily! Life is what we make of it and we must just learn to make the best of whatever comes our way. The Burks family lives this daily and they are inspiring beyond all words! I am thankful for their friendship and allowing me to be a part of their lives. For allowing me to organize the Bug Run and teaching me to give, love and hope beyond all boundaries.

The evening before the Bug Run, I met with Our DJ, Ty. (Best DJ in the business by the way and a Bug Run Sponsor!) We were talking about the rain and where the set up would be, etc… Then we just started talking about music. I love music, all kinds! I had mentioned that one of my favorite songs is “Man in the Mirror“ by Michael Jackson. I never thought anything else about that and started to prepare for rain the next morning as it was looking like we weren’t going to dodge it. After a sleepless night of watching the radar, praying, and going over courses, details, plans in my head over and over, it was time to get everything set up and we will push forward rain or shine. After all, that’s what we do. We overcome, we dance in the rain!

The rain was minimal and even clearing. By 6:45am the start line had been set up. Vendors were putting their things in place, the committee was working hard to finish setting up and completing last minute details, registration, etc… I took a moment to go into the street to absorb it all in and enjoy the quietness. The rain had stopped and it was clearing and the morning was going to be beautiful! In just one hour from that time the street was going to be filled with hundreds of people. Coming together to fight for each other, RUNNING TO END SMA!! My heart was full and then what do I hear? “Man in the Mirror”. It came across the loud speakers. I knew what it was in just the first few notes. I literally could have cried in that moment. Maybe that song isn’t really a pump me up, running kind of song. But, the words are impactful!. MAKE A CHANGE! Start with ourselves and help the world to be better! That was so fitting, for me personally, for that moment. That’s what we were all doing and coming together to do that day! Ty, thank you for that moment. I embraced it and I sang and I danced in that street and just an hour later 1200 plus people were there to walk, run, and support the cause to RUN TO END SMA!!

There were so many great moments of that day and I have put together a video of my personal favorite moments.

VIDEO BY AMY VRBAN

Music By Michael Jackson

There were a thousand more pictures and moments and I hold them all close to my heart. I know how thankful Kristin and Tony are and there is no doubt how close they hold all those moments and many, many more as well.

I hope to see you all next year at the 5th Anniversary of the Jadon’s Hope Bug Run!! Plans are already in the making! Jadon will be celebrating his 7th birthday next month!! I ask that all of you continue to keep him and all SMA Warriors, Angels and their families in your prayers. Pray that a cure can be found! Pray more people want to help make a change and a difference is so many lives. Blessings to you all and thank you again!!!