Back in the Running
The start of the Peyton’s Promise 5K Run on the Promenade.
This is the year Peyton’s Promise outruns COVID.
With the pandemic in decline, the popular Sea Isle City 5K Run and 2K Walk to benefit CDH research sprints toward a June 4 renewal along the Promenade.
This is the 12th running of the event, which was canceled because of COVID-19 for the last two years. All net profits are donated to the newly formed Peyton’s Promise CDH Research Fund at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
This event formally resumes with a 9am registration at JFK and the Promenade, a 10am wave of runners and walkers (runners go south, walkers north), and an after-party at Paddy’s Green at O’Donnell’s Pour House. Participants are encouraged to register earlier at peytonspromise.com.
A group of perhaps 300 runners and walkers is anticipated, and the field will feature some noteworthy entrants.
Peyton and Debbie waiting to start the Peyton’s Promise 5K.
Peyton Laricks, the 14-year-old for whom the event is named, will participate along with her brother Dusty, 16, and sister Quinn, 11.
Peyton’s mother, Debbie, an eighth-grade language-arts teacher at Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Cape May Court House, always takes part. The 2022 event is a significant milestone for her. Debbie has seen Peyton reach the age where she became one of her students this school year.
That’s a long way from the uncertainties of 2008, when the Laricks family was in a much different place.
This event honors a miracle from that year: Peyton surviving the effects of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with the help of CHOP.
The hospital played a monumental role in Peyton’s recovery. Treatment included 88 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, 12 days of life support, and multiple surgeries. That process cannot even measure the enormous emotional toll on her parents.
“This Peyton’s Promise event is absolutely an emotional day for us,” says event organizer Dustin Laricks, Peyton’s father and the owner of Laricks Real Estate in Sea Isle City.
“It’s kind of hard to put into words,” he adds. “When I see the amount of people who come out and support this foundation, and then think of what we were being told years ago about what could have happened with Peyton, and now how we are raising awareness to help other babies, I have more gratitude for everything.”
Capital G, exclamation point.
Grateful for Peyton’s recovery, the Laricks family quickly organized a vehicle to assist CDH research at CHOP. This event, golf tournaments and other activities have enabled the Laricks family to raise more than $500,000 for CDH research since 2009.
The family took another major step this year in establishing a fund at CHOP just for CDH research in Peyton’s name.
“In past years, we gave funds to the hospital and requested that they allocate it toward CDH research, but this fund is now set up specifically for the purposes of CDH-related research,” Dustin Laricks says. “Doctors can use it at their discretion as long as it is for the purpose of CDH-related research.”
With this being an official fund, anyone can contribute to it, he adds. The fund has more visibility and could entice contributions from corporations, individuals and other families.
“It has more bandwidth now,” Laricks indicates. “The whole idea is that we can have a research fund that outlives all of us.”
The event’s timing enables participation both from local residents and second homeowners coming here to kick off the summer season.
“It is amazing how supportive this community is, especially when you think about how long people have been participating,” Laricks says. “This has taken place while there have been some amazing accomplishments made at the hospital and with CDH treatments since she was born.
“They say they have made advancements in treatment resulting in less side effects, and they have advanced in areas like brain bleeds, hearing loss, vision loss, etc.
The Laricks family at Peyton’s Confirmation in April.
“We like to think we had a little to do with that.”
Jenna Bundy, CHOP’s associate director of community fundraising, says that the proceeds generated from Peyton’s Promise events have advanced to another level.
“In the past, Peyton’s Promise supported basic research for CDH, and their new fund supports translational research for CDH,” she explains. “Here’s a quick definition of the two: translational clinical research applies what we learn in the basic science laboratory to studies in humans to help us accelerate laboratory discoveries into effective treatments for patients.
“This aligns with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute ‘bench to bedside’ philosophy and CHOP’s mission to advance the health of children by turning scientific discovery into medical innovation.”
Bundy notes the longstanding relationship between the Laricks family and CHOP.
“It is amazing to see how long they have been doing this,” she says. “They continue to support CHOP year after year after year. A lot of families who have supported us [in the aftermath of a crisis] have gotten past that point in their life and have kind of moved on to other things to support.”
Bundy, who is expecting her second child in July, understands the anxiety all mothers would face against any obstacle like CDH. Funding makes a difference not only in research, but in the feeling of empowerment that comes with having the tools to go further.
“We talk to the families a lot,” Bundy says. “When you hear the stories from them about the incredible transformations and you hear from people like the clinicians, the nurses, the social workers, etc., the stories they tell are inspiring. To hear everyone explain about the level of treatment they are getting here is uplifting.”
Bundy’s connection to the fund and the event has an additional twist. She was working with Dustin Laricks in a CHOP capacity, which prompted a trip from Philadelphia to Sea Isle City. Her parents Frank and Carolyn Gavaghan had purchased a home here on 47th Place sometime earlier.
Presto, there was a realization.
“I went down there to work on something and realized, ‘Wow, you live right around the corner from my parents,’ ” she laughs.
Laricks, coincidentally, now rents the home for them.
“Small world,” he says.
The synergy formed an even deeper tie between CHOP and the Peyton’s Promise run. Bundy has run in it and said some hospital representatives will take part in this year’s renewal.
The Peyton Laricks CDH research fund received another level of acknowledgement in February.
Monica Taylor Lotty, the hospital’s executive vice president and chief development officer, thanked the Laricks family for establishing the CDH research fund in a letter.
“Your support helps CHOP move the needle in congenital diaphragmatic hernia research, so we can continue to deliver compassionate, unparalleled care to patient’s families when they need it most,” the letter says. “Thank you for your dedication to CHOP and to the health and well-being of children everywhere.”
It all comes full circle June 4.
Peyton will run in the race named in her honor.
And the Laricks family will carry on a multiyear tradition:
Look back, pay it forward.
Peyton’s Promise Run/Walk • Saturday, June 4, 2022
5k Run, 10am, $35 • 2K Walk, 10am, $35
14 JFK Boulevard, (on the Promenade) Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
After-Party Information:
This year’s family-friendly after-party will be held at Paddy’s Green, 39th & Landis. The party will include a complimentary buffet for all runners/walkers and the release of VonC Brewing Co’s special Peyton’s Promise pilsner. All sale proceeds from the Peyton’s Promise pilsner will be donated to the foundation.
For event information and to register for the race, visit: peytonspromise.com
