Shane Lawson is getting ready to run his first 100-mile race in less than two weeks, inspired to do so to raise money for a coworker who has sustained mounting medical and other costs related to the treatment of a sick baby.
The money Lawson is able to raise through his efforts will be donated to the family of Jace Angus, of Harold, who has battled a congenital heart defect since being born on Valentine’s Day. The child has already had one open-heart surgery and will be required to undergo additional surgeries every 3-to-5 years.
Shane Lawson isn’t running for his life. He’s running for someone else’s.
Lawson will be competing in the Burning River 100, a 100-mile foot race from Willoughby to Cuyahoga Falls, in Ohio, July 28 and 29. But perhaps more impressive than his attempt at the race is his reason for doing so — to help a coworker’s family.
Lawson is director of Highlands Physical Therapy, where he works with Anna Angus, of Harold. The day after giving birth to a son, Jace, on Valentine’s Day, Angus and her husband, Sheldon, learned the child had a heart murmur and a ventricular septal defect. The child was later diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect which required the child to heave open-heart surgery June 6, and which will require additional surgeries every 3-to-5 years.
Lawson said many of his coworkers were looking for a way to help the Angus family with medical bills as well as some of the ancillary costs, such as travel and time off work. That’s when he hit upon the idea of running the race.
“I figured a 100-mile race sounded crazy enough to get people’s attention,” Lawson said. “People look at me and say, ‘What are you doing?’”
Lawson is accepting donations in conjunction with his race. Those wishing to donate money can either pledge an amount per mile that he finishes or a flat amount.
Lawson said, although he has never attempted a 100-mile race, he is feeling confident about being able to finish the race. He has already completed two 50-mile races this year. “Plus, I’ll have the added incentive of all those pledges to help me finish,” he said.
After the race begins, updates of his progress will be posted on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RunForJace
Donations may be sent to:
Run For Jace
c/o Highlands Physical Therapy
83 Dewey St.
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Please make any checks payable to Anna Angus
Donations may also be dropped off at any of the Highlands Physical Therapy locations — Harold Primary Care, Archer Physical Therapy, HRMC or at Paintsville Medical Building.
Those wishing to participate or contribute in any way are asked to contact Lawson or Ashleigh Ousley at (606) 886-9888.
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