The Breanna Vergara Foundation is hosting the Breanna Vergara 5K and Color Run at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West, 15101 N.W. 82 Ave, on Sunday, December 13. The race schedule includes registration from 6 to 7:15 a.m.; start of timed 5K race at 7:30 a.m.; start of 1 mile color run at 8:30 a.m.; concluding award ceremony at 9 a.m.
Registration is now open. Those interested in participating may sign up online at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Hialeah/TheBreannaVergara5K. Those who register before December 1 receive a free shirt. The fees are $30 for the 5K, $20 for the one mile Color Run, and $40 for both the 5K and Color Run.
Sponsors for the event include Sunshine Towing, Miami Dancity Studios, Vicky Bakery, Vigilante Associates Custom Glass Systems, Italy Today Restaurant, Crazy Fork, Cancun Grill, The Glam Studio, Timed Events, Bella Chic Boutique, the Town of Miami Lakes, and Diamonette.
Vergara, an 11-year-old Miami Lakes Middle Schooler, collapsed in the middle of dance practice at Miami Dancity Studios. She had been dancing since she was a toddler at Dance Creations Dance Studio (DCDA) in Hialeah and had recently begun attending Miami Dancity Studios.
Despite the immediate application of CPR by nurses and an ambulance that arrived approximately 5 minutes later, Vergara succumbed to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). WPW is an electrical heart abnormality that is often asymptomatic and can be cured with surgery. The defect is easily picked up on an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Vergara’s parents, Jesus and Claudia, would not find out the cause of death until 6 months later when the autopsy revealed WPW. Since then the Vergara family has made it their goal to continue Breanna’s legacy and to raise awareness about WPW for families and parents who, like they once were, may be unaware about the condition and cure.
Money raised from the 5K and Color Run will go toward continuing to fund the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Cardiology Department to fund a mobile EKG unit service that the hospital can take to schools, sport centers, dance studios and others. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital offers free EKG screenings to middle school and high school students.
For more information on the Breanna Vergara Foundation or to become a sponsor, visit www.breannavergarafoundation.org.