photo/Jerry Coli

Registration Open for 2017 Moms’ Run Benefiting Postpartum Support Charleston

Close to 20 percent of new moms will experience maternal mental illness. That means more women will suffer from illnesses like postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD in one year than the combined number of new cases among men and women of  tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, lupus and epilepsy.

On Mother’s Day weekend, local nonprofit Postpartum Support Charleston invites the community to stand up for these mothers and mothers everywhere. The 14th annual Moms’ Run + Family Fun Day is Saturday, May 13 at MUSC Health Stadium on Daniel Island. Registration for the event is open and early-bird pricing is available through Jan. 31.

The event raises money for Postpartum Support Charleston, a largely volunteer-run organization dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding maternal mental illness to ensure all women who suffer receive support. The organization offers free peer-to-peer support groups, educational programs for the public and the medical community as well as providing grants to women who are not able to afford treatment for PPD or related illnesses.

The annual Moms’ Run -- Postpartum Support Charleston’s largest fundraiser -- is a 5K run/walk open to all ages followed by free events and activities for families. Participants and their families can arrive at 7 a.m. for pre-race Family Fun Day festivities. At 8 a.m., runners and walkers can join the 5K run/walk through Daniel Island and ending back at MUSC Health Stadium.

A Family Fun Day and awards ceremony will follow the race. Participants can enjoy music, free food and plenty of children’s activities, including a jump castle, face painting, crafts and games. Family Fun Day is included in race registration.

“So many new moms suffer in silence from this all-too-common illness. We want mothers to know they are not alone,” said Elaine DeaKyne, PPD survivor and board president for Postpartum Support Charleston. “Our race not only provides important funds for our work in the Charleston area, but also is a way for all of us to join together and raise up the mothers in our community.”

Early bird registration fees through Jan. 31 are $25 per adult; $30 for stroller registration (includes 1 adult & 1 child; $5 each additional child in the stroller); $15 for children 10 and under. Beginning Feb. 1, prices go up to $30 per adult; $35 for stroller and $20 for children. A Support the Cause option at $25 is available for non-runners who want a T-shirt and race bag.

All runners are invited to create a race team and raise additional money for Postpartum Support Charleston. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available; visit www.ppdsupport.org/events/momsrun/ for details or email momsrun@ppdsupport.org.