Family of boy who had skull surgery wants to help others in same situation

Wade Bradford

(Submitted by Angie Bradford)

A 5K walk/run will be held to raise awareness about craniosynostosis and in honor of a Wayne boy who was born with it.

The walk/run will be held Saturday, June 16, starting at 9 a.m., in the Wayne Village Park.

Wade Bradford was born with craniosynostosis and underwent reconstructive skull surgery at 3 months old to give his brain room to develop and grow normally. Now his family would like to help other families whose children need the same surgery.

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the skull sutures close prematurely, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth and premature closure of the fontanelles (soft spots). Premature closure of the sutures may also cause the pressure inside of the head to increase and the skull or facial bones to change from a normal, symmetrical appearance.

The 5K event is a “virtual” walk/run to raise money for Cranio Care Bears, a non-profit organization established in 2011 by two moms who children had craniosynostosis. The mission is to spread awareness, support and compassion through care packages to families of children facing surgery for craniosynostosis. The care packages include items for the child and family to relieve the stress accompanying this very serious surgery.

Cranio Care Bears Virtual 5K Walk/Run is a distance of 5K (or more) that the runner does any place, any time, any where, https://run4cranio.org/sales-page20502999. It is a “Pay it Forward” fundraiser to help raise awareness and fund the shipping of care packages worldwide to families undergoing children’s skull surgery.

Your participation will allow the Cranio Care Bears organization to ship more than 150 care packages every month.

All registrants will receive a printable race bib (or upgrade to deluxe bib) and a Cranio Care Bear medal. Medals and upgraded back numbers are shipped to participants after registration.

If you complete the 5K by June 30 and upload a photo on the “Finish Line” Facebook page, you will be entered to be entered into prize drawings.