The Life and Breath Foundation will commemorate National Sarcoidosis Month with a new signature event designed to raise awareness of the disease and promote healthy lifestyles among Sarcoidosis patients and non-patients alike.
Take a Breath for Sarcoidosis will take place Saturday, Apr. 27, at DeJon Vineyards (5300 Hydes Rd., Hydes, Md. 21082) in Baltimore County. Check in begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 1K Children’s Fun Run at 9:45.
The 1 Mile Walk and Coach Clint Gosnell 5K Trail Run commence at 10:00. [Gosnell is the former boy’s lacrosse and girl’s field hockey coach at Arundel High School who passed away in September of 2015. His widow, Terry Moir, and Kevin Necessary (athletic director at Arundel High and former mentee of Coach Gosnell) are partnering with the Life and Breath Foundation to promote the event and provide volunteers.].
Race winners will receive Amazon.com gift cards. All adult participants will receive a short sleeve Under Armour race shirt and those age 21 and over also will receive a wrist band to the post-race party that includes a wine tasting and a commemorative glass to keep. Child participants will receive a drawstring backpack.
Adding to the excitement will be food trucks, music from DJ Lyndon “Smoky” Lansdowne from The Starboard in Dewey Beach, and a special performance by Reggie Rice, three-time Comedy Magician of the Year. Rice has been the opening act for Jordin Sparks and First Lady Michelle Obama five times, and has been featured on Travel Channel performing his magic for hundreds of thousands all over the world.
As a Sarcoidosis patient, he also has a special connection with the Life and Breath Foundation.
“I hope to share my story using my show as a way that can spread awareness of this disease and how it has affected so many but does not mean we have to stop chasing our dream,” Rice said. “It is wonderful to know that the Life and Breath Foundation is making a difference.”
Event chair, Tracy
“Sarcoidosis is often difficult to diagnose and it is so important to speak with your doctors and be your own advocate until you can get the right diagnosis,” said DuBree, who had been tested for countless illnesses and diseases before getting the Sarcoidosis diagnosis.”
With this in mind, GBMC officials with expertise in Sarcoidosis will be on hand at Take a Breath for Sarcoidosis to answer questions and engage with potential patients. Event proceeds will support the new GBMC Health Partners Complex Care practice, which is dedicated to patients with diseases who have multifaceted needs.
Lead physician Mark Lamos, MD (past president and medical director of Greater Baltimore Medical Associates and a Life and Breath Foundation board member) specializes in Sarcoidosis and is passionate about helping Sarcoidosis patients get proper care for this difficult to manage disease.
“Sarcoidosis patients often receive non-comprehensive care,” Dr. Lamos said. “For example, you could have sarcoid of the lungs and you may get sent to a pulmonary specialist, but if somebody forgot to send you to an eye doctor, you could have non-symptomatic renal failure.”
Through the Complex Care practice, patients will be paired with a care coordinator who will help ensure continuity of care, follow ups on referrals, and that a patient’s psychosocial needs are met. Sarcoid requires a comprehensive plan for long term care to prevent potentially dangerous complications.
Entry fees for Take a Breath for Sarcoidosis are $30 for the 5K Trail Run and $20 for the 1 Mile Walk, Children’s Fun Run and Silent Hero (no activity required). To register or learn more about the Life and Breath Foundation and Sarcoidosis, visit www.lifeandbreath.org or call 1.866.4SUPPRT or 410.750.8808.
Founded in 1998,the Life and Breath Foundation’s mission is to provide the Sarcoidosis community with the vital resources needed to manage their medical care and to offer a supportive environment where they can be empowered. Since its inception, it has raised over $350,000 for Sarcoidosis awareness and research studies. For more information, visit www.lifeandbreath.org.