Smilin’ Rylen Foundation Run goes virtual

By Claire Goodman, Houston Chronicle

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3:14 pm CDT, Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down all public occasions, nevertheless it hasn’t stopped the Cowan household from elevating funds and consciousness for organ donation in reminiscence of their son, Rylen. The Smilin’ Rylen Run, which advantages 4 completely different charities, will nonetheless happen on April 25 as a digital run.

Rylen Cowan died at 13 months of age from bacterial meningitis. The Cowans donated his organs, and some months later, they established the Smilin’ Rylen basis, a 501(c)(3) charity devoted to elevating cash and consciousness for organ donation.

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“The group was based beneath the thought to boost consciousness about organ donation and to assist households in disaster,” defined Rylen’s mom, Kristen Cowan. “Our mission is to boost cash to present again to our 4 beneficiaries and in addition to recollect Rylen and assist create his legacy.”

The Smilin’ Rylen Run is the most important fundraising occasion for the group. Since its inception three years in the past, the group has raised greater than $75,000 for charity.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s government order has banned all public occasions, however the Smilin’ Rylen Run will nonetheless happen this 12 months. Quite than cancel or postpone the race, the Cowan household is forging forward with the run, though it is going to happen in neighborhoods as a substitute of a race course.

For the digital run, individuals will nonetheless register for the race, which has a 5K or one-mile choice. However as a substitute of exhibiting up on race day, runners have between April 25 and Could 15 to finish the run at any time when they select.

“You do the run by yourself time, defined Kristen. “You are able to do it in your entrance yard or round your neighborhood or down your avenue.”

Contributors who register by midnight on April 24 will nonetheless get a race shirt and participation medal. Participation is $30 for the 5K, $20 for youngsters 12 and youthful within the 5K, and $10 for youngsters 12 and beneath within the one-mile. The one-mile for individuals older than 12 is $20.

The entire proceeds from the run will probably be distributed evenly between 4 nonprofits. Every of the organizations aided the Cowan household throughout Rylen’s sickness and passing.

LifeGift is a company that procures organs for transplants. The Ronald McDonald Home affords housing to households whereas their kids are in remedy within the hospital. Emma’s Hugs offers free parking chips for households whose kids are staying within the hospital long-term. Now I Lay Me All the way down to Sleep affords free images to households after the lack of an toddler or small baby.

Kristen believes that providing the run nearly will present households with a possibility to spend time outside for a very good trigger. “Our hope is that individuals will nonetheless enroll as a result of all of us have to get out,” she stated. “All of us want train and solar, and that is one thing households can do collectively.”

A digital run additionally opens up the occasion to individuals who dwell exterior of Katy. “You’ll be able to dwell in one other metropolis and even one other state and nonetheless be concerned,” she defined.

Kristen hopes that the digital run will nonetheless appeal to individuals regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My greatest perception is what issues most is what you do with the grief of shedding your baby,” Kristen stated. “I’m so pleased with Rylen and his legacy. I’d have by no means thought that we’d have raised the amount of cash that we’ve raised and touched and impacted the quantity of organizations in the neighborhood that we’ve raised by means of the Smilin’ Rylen Basis.”

She added, “I’ve little doubt that Rylen has had his little hand in all of this.”

To register for the Smilin’ Rylen Run, or to study extra in regards to the Smilin’ Rylen Basis and its beneficiaries, go to www.smilinrylenfoundation.org.

claire.goodman@chron.com