The SSOD race (Stone Stairs of Death), is going on its third year running this November 9th. This race is special…not just because it is run on the famous cobblestones of Savannah’s River Street and, up the infamous Savannah Stone Stairs of Death. This is a special race because we pick a person and/or family that has suffered and endured greatly due to illness and, during the process of fighting for one’s life has had the added insult of fighting to stay afloat financially. The money generated from this race goes entirely to the person/family afflicted by illness and financial debt.
I have had friends that through no fault of their own cancer has invaded their lives and left them broken, physically and financially. It is hard for me to fathom why a person that has fought a valiant fight with cancer or other debilitating disease and, during the process has had to endure financial ruin. Enduring and surviving a terrible illness is hard enough. Why should their finances be ruined too? Why should they spend the rest of their lives paying off the debt accumulated during their fight for their life? It shouldn’t be this way…not in a country as prosperous as ours. Unfortunately, it is this way. I know this first hand. Last year I suffered the worst health issue of my life. I had an extreme case of pericarditis. It almost killed me. Thankfully, I am still here and, still rebuilding my health. But, as good as my health insurance is I have come out of this with almost $20,000 in medical debt. I have a good job with a great organization but it will take me years to pay off this healthcare debt.
Now, lets talk about Stephanie Moore. In the southeast US, Stephanie is known well in the ultra running community. With her bright pink hair, tattooed body and Iron Maiden shirts she wears she is easy to spot at the starting line of an ultra running event. There is of course, more to this person than the pink hair, tattoos and Iron Maiden shirts. She is a bright and warm human being with a deep love for dogs and nature. She is an outdoors woman with a big heart. People are drawn to her because of her heart. She is what we call “good people”.
Through no fault of her own, Stephanie was afflicted with colon cancer at the age of 29. She’s battled cancer for the past four years even as the cancer spread to her liver. At 33, she is cancer free but, she is now fighting another war, -this one being a financial one. This should not be.
Although a small race, the SSOD race can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Through this small race (only 65 runners can sign up), we have the opportunity to pay it forward big time. Through this ridiculous race we have the opportunity of celebrating our health and, making a huge difference in someone’s life. We have the opportunity to help lift a dark cloud of financial debt from over a person’s life and, give that person some relief as she kickstarts her life again.
The SSOD race is not for everyone but everyone can play a part in helping out Stephanie. You can support Stephanie by a direct donation or sponsoring one of the runners. You may make a direct donation at the SSOD race registration site: SSOD4Stephanie
You may also sponsor a runner. If you know someone that is running this race reach out to them and let them know that you want to sponsor them. Here is a link to the runners signed up for the SSOD race: SSOD Runners
We have a goal of raising at least $10,000 for Stephanie. That is a lot of money but mind you, its just a drop in the bucket of the expenses Stephanie has endured. If we sell out this race that is capped at 65 runners, we can easily reach the aforementioned goal by each runner getting $155 worth of sponsorship. That’s not hard to do. Please reach out to family and friends and get them to sponsor you for this event.
I’m a firm believer in what goes around, comes around. Whatever you hurl out there will come back to you, whether positive or negative. Pay it forward, please! After we’ve covered the expenses of holding this race every cent over that cost goes directly to Stephanie Moore. Any donation you make goes directly to Stephanie Moore and does not get used for covering the expense of the race. The expense of this race is covered solely with the registration fee of the race.
Until we get this shit figured out with healthcare in our country, lets step out of our box and help each other out. Its the right thing to do. Thank you so much!
All the very best,
Rough Runners.
