Our son Reef was born 9 weeks early on June 17, 2016. We spent 62 days in the UCDavis NICU, during which Reef was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition that blocks the flow of spinal fluid in the brain requiring a shunt to be placed. On July 13, 2016, Reef had his first brain surgery to place a shunt in his right ventricle. That day marked the beginning of the journey we never expected. Before Reef was 17 months old he had 5 shunt malfunctions, requiring an additional 5 brain surgeries and a second shunt to be placed.

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In January of 2018, we decided we didn't want our friends to put together a GoFundMe and instead started dreaming of ways to raise awareness and funds to help all those in need. We officially started our own nonprofit 501(c)3 - Reef's Race for a Cure Foundation - in April of 2019!

On Sunday, September 9, 2018, we hosted our 1st annual Reef’s Run for Hydrocephalus Awareness. We raised over $17,000 for our first run! All proceeds went to the Hydrocephalus Association which is actively searching for a cure for hydrocephalus.  

245 of you joined us on September 8, 2019, for our 2nd Annual Reef's Run, and another 50+ came down for our silent auction!! Thank you all for your amazing support and generosity. We raised over $38,000, which was more than double our first year! We were also fortunate enough to be able to donate over $10,000 to local families in need. We sincerely appreciate all the outpouring of love and support! 

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2020 and 2021 gave us all some twists and turns. The California and Nevada wildfire postponed, and ultimately made Reef's Run go completely virtual in 2020, and we were evacuated and we postponed again in 2021. That didn't stop us from getting out and raising awareness and money for those in need. Our first-ever online auction was also a success! Thank you to our sponsors, donors, participants, and everyone who helped us to raise over $24,000 in 2020 and $37,000 in 2021!! All proceeds went to charitable foundations actively seeking a cure for Hydrocephalus, charities helping families in need, and directly to families in need on a word-of-mouth basis. Together we can help find a cure!

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This year we will hold our 5th Annual Reef's Run on Sunday, September 11th, 2022. This unique event will spread smiles, a sense of community, and a winning spirit. This event will not only raise awareness for hydrocephalus, which affects 1-2 in every 1,000 babies born, but it will also help to raise funds to support research for a much-needed cure. The only treatment for hydrocephalus is brain surgery and 36,000 operations are performed annually, that’s one every 15 minutes! Join us in the search for a cure!

Racers are encouraged to wear costumes, in Hydrocephalus Blue, on this 5K Fun Run / Walk / Stroll through picturesque Lake Tahoe.

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Our goal is to help raise awareness for a condition most have never heard of before. My son, as well as all the other children and adults with hydrocephalus, deserve a cure. A tomorrow free from the fear that their shunt may malfunction at any moment. Help us fight for their better tomorrows.

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