After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel this year’s Cassidy’s 5K. We value our supporters, sponsors, friends and family so very much and would never want to put them in harm’s way or cause any additional financial strain during these difficult times.
We hope this year long “pause” is filled with good health, financial gain and happiness for all who have been so supportive over the past 8 years.
We will come back bigger, stronger and with more heart in 2021 for the 8th Annual Cassidy’s 5K.
As always – we thank you for support, your love and your friendship!
To keep up to date on all things Cassidy follow her page: Cassidy’s Crusaders
For those asking about a virtual race it, was considered, but for many reasons including a strong desire to maintain the overall integrity of this very special event, it’s not a direction we wanted to go in. That being said anyone at anytime is welcome to run or walk a 5K in support of Cassidy, post that you did on Cassidy’s Crusaders and/or Cassidy’s 5K Facebook pages and if you would like to make a donation (say in place of a race entry fee) you can do so using the PayPal button below.
Or, click on RaceWire to sign up!
Registration is closed for the 2020 race.
Donations:
We will be accepting donations for Cassidy using PayPal through September. You don’t need a PayPal account in order to donate. Donations are 100% tax deductible and there are no service fees.
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Thank You for Your 2019 Donations!
June 27, 2017 – YouTube sensation Cassidy is interviewed by Chris Ulmer of Special Books by Special Kids
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Cassidy’s 5K on Facebook |
9/16/2015 – Governor Proclaims September 26th 2015 Treacher-Collins Syndrome Awareness Day! The official Commonwealth of Massachusetts Proclamation can be read by clicking here.
Cassidy Claire Nicholas
Cassidy was born in August 2012 with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that was a result of a spontaneous mutation of the fifth chromosome causing malformation of her facial bones. Cassidy has a severe case of TCS. Neither her parents nor team of doctors knew she was afflicted with this syndrome before her birth. She was immediately intubated after birth as she was born with no viable airway and a tracheostomy was performed when she was just two days old. Cassidy was born with choanal atresia; there was no passage between her nose and mouth, micrognathia; her jaw is underdeveloped lacking hinges and growth sacs and mylar hypoplasia; she lacks cheek bones. In addition to these abnormalities, Cassidy also has bilateral microtia; which means she was born without ear canals, ear drums or ear bones. Her ear lobes are undeveloped and she is also missing an inner ear canal on each side. Fortunately, her cochlear nerves are intact and she is able to hear with the assistance of a soft band bone anchored hearing aid. Additionally, Cassidy was born with a cleft soft palate. After a six week stay in the Tufts Medical Center NICU, she went home with her parents, Eva and Jeremy. She has already undergone many surgeries and faces numerous more for years to come. Despite all of her physical shortcomings, Cassidy is an engaging, loveable little girl.
Last July, little Cassidy underwent her 8th and most complicated surgery to date. Her Craniofacial surgeons began the process of reconstructing her tiny jaw. Since her jaw was not growing and lacked hinges on both sides, they extracted rib bone and cartilage from her and sculpted hinges with it. Cassidy’s doctors implanted plates in her face so that the rib bone will rest against them and hopefully push her jaw forward. The hope is that this surgery will eventually result in her jaw bone beginning to grow which will result in the removal of her trach.
Because of the generosity of those who have donated in past years, Cassidy’s mother was able to take some time off from work to be with Cassidy during her jaw extraction surgery and recovery. They were also able to purchase needed medical supplies that are not covered by their insurance. The Nicholas family has their sights set on the future Medpor ear surgery Cassidy will undergo. Because of the significant amount of rib bone and cartilage that was used for her jaw surgery, there will not be enough natural material to construct ears for her. The Medpor process will begin in April when Cassidy will begin getting saline injections twice a week to stretch the skin where her prosthetic ear will eventually be. The surgery for her first ear is scheduled for July and her second ear will be scheduled for next year.
The 7th Annual Cassidy’s 5k Run and Fun Walk will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Sylvan Street Grille, 195 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA. We are interested in financial sponsorships as well as items that can be raffled off. All proceeds from this race will go directly to Cassidy and the Nicholas family to offset costs of her future surgeries, which, in addition to those aforementioned, include construction of prosthetic cheek bones as well as restructuring her nose and eyelids. With your help, Cassidy can look forward to living a life with a normal face, will you consider helping her achieve that?
One day Cassidy will know and understand the outpouring of love and support that she receives through this event. One day, she will thank all of you! Someday she will run along with all of her supporters!
For more information about Cassidy please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cassidys-Crusaders/131779680300237
A Huge THANK YOU to Our 2019 Platinum Sponsors!!!!!
(Click each Billboard to learn more about our Platinum Sponsors)
Special Thanks to Our 2019 Gold Sponsors |
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WCRC Wild Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving Day West Newbury, MA |
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Atlantic Bridge & Engineering Hampton, NH |
Special Thanks to Our 2019 Silver Sponsors |
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Arthur S. Page Insurance Newburyport, MA |
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Crosby’s Markets, North Shore, MA |
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Shaheen Brothers Amesbury, MA |
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W. Harrison & Sons Salisbury, MA |
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Newburyport, MA |
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SPS New England Salisbury, MA |
Special Thanks to Our 2019 Bronze Sponsors |
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DiTolla Dental Practice Amesbury, MA |
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Seacoast Orthopedics Newburyport, MA |
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Davie Landscape Construction North Shore, MA and Southern NH |
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Talent Retriever Boston, MA |
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Amesbury Dental Associates Amesbury, MA |
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CP Building Supply Kensington, NH |
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West Newbury Summer Rec Program West Newbury, MA |
Some photos from last year’s race, raffle and after party. And, yes, that is former Bruin, NHL Hall of Famer and Cassidy’s BFF, Terry O’Reilly signing autographs and memorabilia!
We need Sponsors and raffle items!!!
This event would not be the success that it’s been each year without the continued support of our sponsors and raffle donators. With your help this event will continue to grow and help raise awareness for both Cassidy and other children facing similar challenges. Sponsorship and Raffle donations are 100% tax deductible.
Cassidy’s 5K In-Kind Sponsorship Form
For sponsorship opportunities please send an email to: sponsorsC5K@runthecircle.org
