Inspiring others by taking the next step

Flower Mound resident Megan Redfearn, whose daughter Emma is battling the effects of hydrocephalus, is planning the inaugural DFW Hydrocephalus Association 5K Walk on Sept. 27 at the Frisco Commons Park.

The walk is an effort to raise funds to support research on hydrocephalus, a medical condition where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain.

The mother-daughter duo continues working to create awareness of the disease and support for other families. “We’ve been really busy, but it’s been a good year,” Redfearn said in a news release. “Emma is now age three and transitioning to school which has allowed her to be around other kids and come out of her shell—it’s fun to see her develop.”

Last year, Redfearn founded as the Dallas Hydrocephalus Association support group, now known as the Community Network. She is co-chairing the 5K walk with Denton residents Drew and Sarah Null, who are parents of a child battling hydrocephalus.

September is Hydrocephalus Awareness month, and Redfearn and her co-chairs already have raised more than $15,000 of the $18,000 goal, with around 100 walkers signed up. The goal is to have 200 to 300 walkers and to get additional corporate sponsorship for the event.

One corporate sponsor is supporting “Ambassador Avenue,” a section of the route which families can erect posters and the stories of their family members fighting the disease.

“We welcome other businesses to join in as a way to give back to their local communities,” Redfearn said in a news release. “Our vision is that this event will be in place for years to come and give people and businesses a chance to make a difference in the lives of people with hydrocephalus.”

One goal of the event is also to bring individuals suffering with hydrocephalus and their families together.

“I just want to see people having fun … finally getting a chance to meet others like them and have their story heard,” Redfearn said.

For more information on the event, visit: http://hawalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1098262 or email the Community Network at [email protected]. To ask specifically about the event, email [email protected]. Learn more about Megan and Emma Redfearn’s team or donate to them by visiting tinyurl.com/Megan4TeamEmmaLee