The benefit for 17-year-old Danielle is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15 and will be held — rain or shine — at the Hope Pavilion at Southwinds Park, 4965 S. 2nd St. in Springfield. Southwinds has running and walking paths and is the spot for a number of local fund-raising events and races.
Check-in for the event will begin at 11 a.m. and the run/walk will begin at noon. Runners will be given time-sensor bibs and first-, second- and third-place medals will be awarded in both the men and women divisions.
Registration fees for the run are $20 for each adult 18 and over; $10 for each youngster age 4-17 and children under age 3 can participate for free. There is a fee of an additional $5 per person for participants who register on the day of the event.
Those who are unable to attend but still want to take part to assist Danielle, can register as a “There in Spirit” walker. Details, on-line registration and forms can be found at www.prayfordanielle.com.
Depending on availability and date of registration, a T-shirt, event bag, food and drink may be provided for participants. Those who register on the day of the event aren’t guaranteed to receive the T-shirt and other items.
More than three years after the Lake Springfield accident, Danielle, who is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, still requires round-the-clock care. Her care is provided by her parents, Lynell and Jeff, and her younger sisters, 14-year-old Taylor and 12-year-old Rachel. Additionally, Danielle needs extensive medical attention and a variety of therapies.
According to Lynell, funds raised through the benefit event will be used for Danielle’s Advanced Care Protocol (ACP) that is provided through the International Brain Research Foundation (IBRF). ACP is not covered by insurance, she said.
In a recent post on Danielle’s CaringBridge site, Lynell wrote that her daughter is still in a semi-conscious state. That means she is unable to speak, to eat, to walk or move any part of her body on command or with intention.
“She can turn toward us, moan, cry out and laugh,” wrote Lynell, who sometimes posts pictures of Danielle with her family or medical teams on the CaringBridge site. “We truly feel she understands everything around her but her motor functions have been damaged.” The Loftus family continues to pray for Danielle’s total healing and asks that others pray, too.
To learn more about Danielle before the accident, after the accident and to see more information on her run/walk benefit go to: www.prayfordanielle.com, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danielleloftus, or Facebook: Pray for Danielle Loftus.