The 5th Annual Raymond James 5k Fun Run/2k Walk, sponsored by John Hancock, Putnam Investments, Principal Funds, NY Life, Delaware Investments, and Janus, has selected Amputee Blade Runners as the featured charity for the RJFS National Conference. Each year the Fun Run is growing in participation, becoming a staple at this event. We hope this year will be the largest yet!
Amputee Blade Runners has greatly impacted one of our own financial advisors in Nashville. Chevonne Farler of David Adams Wealth Group would be living a completely different life if Amputee Blade Runners hadn’t provided running legs to her husband, Daryl Farler, a bilateral below the knee amputee. Because of the free 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 $6,000-$8,000 for a below the knee, like Daryl, or up to $15,000 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 $3,125.
Last year, Raymond James raised $21,662, which provided running prosthetics for seven amputees. This year, the goal for the Fun Run to raise at least $25,000, which would provide 8 legs. Please consider participating in the Fun Run and supporting one of our own.
Amputee Blade Runners will be onsite at the conference May 20th and 21st during registration hours and during the Fun Run. 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.
On Site Amputee Blade Runner Athletes
Duke Fitzgerald
Duke is a pre-schooler with an indomitable spirit. Like most young boys, he loves being active and hates to slow down. Last spring, his parents signed him up for tee ball but had to pull him out because he could no longer walk. He sufferered from a congenital condition which led led to his amputation. Now, he has a running leg from ABR. It is adorned with Batman glow in the dark paint, and weighs in at just over 1 pound. Duke is proud to show off his leg to anyone who will watch and can use it to signal Batman when necessary. He is now well into his first tee ball season and is having a blast.
Hannah Longmire
Hannah is a 10 year old girl who had both of her feet amputated when she was 3. She is full of life and takes a "can do" approach to almost everything. Frustrated by her inability to keep up with her friends playing chase, she and her family contacted ABR. Hannah now has the equipment she necteds, and others are forced to keep up with her. She just completed her first 5K run and did it in an astounding 34 minutes!
Tyler Jones
Tyler Jones was almost 2 years old when he was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma. While he lost part of his right leg in his battle with cancer, he did not lose his vibrant smile, his lively spirit, and his welcoming and warm personality. His confidence and compassion are truly inspiring to all who know him.
Today, Tyler is 16 years old. He loves staying active, having fun, and trying anything new. He spent his spring break this year helping Clemson University set up an adaptive athlete camp in Thailand. This summer he will be competing in the Junior World's for track. He has received many gold, silver, and bronze medals for competing in track and field, swimming, shooting, and archery. Most of all, he loves making new friends, meeting new people, and getting involved in any way possible.
Maisie Hicks
Maisie is set to be Amputee Blade Runners newest athlete. She and her parents live in Richmond, VA. Born with a congenital condition in both legs, she had bilateral amputations performed in 2017. She asked her parents for help learning how to run, which in turn led them to Amputee Blade Runners. Maisie wants to run with her friends at preschool and race her cousins at her grandparents house.
Ryan Fann
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 Chevonne'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 provide FREE running & sports prosthetic to amputees through grants. 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
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