The 9th Annual Raymond James 5k Fun Run/2k Walk, sponsored by John Hancock, Putnam Investments, Principal Funds, Columbia, Delaware Investments, and Janus, has once again selected Amputee Blade Runners as the featured charity for the RJFS ELEVATE Conference. The Fun Run has continued to grow and is now a staple at this event.
Amputee Blade Runners has greatly impacted the lives of hundreds of amputees and their communities. Daryl Farler, a bilateral below the knee amputee, would be living a completely different life without Amputee Blade Runners. Because of the free running prosthetics Amputee Blade Runners provided, Daryl has completed several triathlons, a Half IronMan, several half marathons, and multiple Boston Marathons. A single piece of equipment can drastically change someone’s life.
EVERY dollar you donate goes directly to providing a running prosthetic, which can vary in price from $10,000-$15,000 for a below the knee, like Daryl, $20,000+ for an above the knee amputee. Amputee Blade Runners is able to provide a running prosthetic to each team member at NO cost, while keeping our cost to $3,500.
At the last Elevate conference we raised $91,000. This year, the goal for the week is to raise at least $112,000, which would transform the lives of 22 amputees and their families.
ABR will be onsite for the entire conference. If you see any of our Blade Runners walking around, please feel free to talk to them about their legs and how running has changed their life.
Amputees Helped Because of Raymond James
Aspen
Aspen has been part of the ABR family since 2019. Aspen lost her foot due to trauma as a young child. Her family was committed to making sure she was able to participate and compete in sports. A Texas girl through and through, Aspen found out about ABR from another amputee athlete. Now in eigth grade, Aspen enjoys cross country, gymnastics, and volleyball.
Liam
Maisie
Maisie first joined the ABR family after meeting the crew during the 2018 ELEVATE Conference. Born in China with congenital differences in both legs, Maisie was adopted by a family in Virginia. Now in elementary school, Maisie is a thoughtful, eloquent, and energetic child.
.
Jacob
Jacob was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer in 2019, resulting in an amputation above the knee. Jacob enjoys all aspects of sports. His career aspiration is to be a sports broadcaster.
Ryan is the co-founder of ABR, a certifed prosthetist (CP) and has a bachelors in Business Administration. Ryan’s journey into prosthetics started when he was 3 years old. Ryan was ran over while on his big wheel riding in his neighborhood resulting in losing his left leg below the knee. Ryan went on to play sports throughout middle school and high school. Ryan was a starting linebacker for his high school when playing in a TN all star game a prosthetic company offered to make him a running leg and Ryan then went on to run track at Tennessee State University (TSU) with the able bodied athletes the first to do so in TN. Ryan then ran with the US Paralympic track program earning multiple Gold and Bronze medals in the Paralympics.
Daryl Farler
Daryl joined the ABR team in January of 2011. In 2006 he was scratched by his girlfriend's dog in the corner of his left eye and contracted a virus that caused septic shock. This resulted in Daryl losing both legs below the knee, multiple fingers, and sight in one eye. Daryl began running to improve his health but soon got his competitive spirit back in gear. Daryl has completed numerous half marathons, a half Ironman, and is a repeat Endeavor Games Sprint Triathlon Champion for his classification. Daryl was also chosen by John Hancock to compete in the 120th and 121st Boston Marathon. Daryl is proof that a single gift can change a person.
About Amputee Blade Runners:
Amputee Blade Runners is a 501(c)3 organization, based in Nashville, TN, that helps lower limb different athletes of all ages reimagine what is possible in sports and in life. To do this ABR provides FREE running & sports prosthetic to amputees. Running prosthetics are considered "not medically necessary" and are NOT covered by insurance. Amputee Blade Runners helps amputees across the country keep an active lifestyle by providing equipment, education and empowerment.
'We believe that giving someone one piece of equipment can have the power to change their life moving forward, just like it did for me!' -Ryan Fann
Are you sure?
