On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) hosted its 22nd Annual International Race for Research, both in person, on its Peabody course, and virtually.
The race traditionally serves as a kick-off to a community-wide celebration weekend in Peabody, culminating in the city’s famous International Festival the next day, though the festival was canceled due to inclement weather this year.
PRF’s Race for Research is the longest-running, largest and most family-friendly race in the city. This year’s race emphasized PRF’s international community, including culturally-themed race T-shirts to honor those with Progeria that PRF serves around the world. In all, the race featured more than 250 participants, with 240 in-person and 11 joining virtually.
Sponsored by PRF and its long-time partner North Shore Bank, this signature event featured a 5K road race and 2-mile walk, complete with a dog watering station, energizing music, and tasty bites to sustain participants. Runners and walkers came out in support of PRF’s mission to discover treatments and the cure for Progeria and its aging-related disorders, including heart disease.
Progeria is an ultra-rare, fatal, rapid-aging condition. Without treatment, children with Progeria die of heart disease at an average age of 14.5 years — the same heart disease that affects millions of normal-aging adults. Thanks to the passion and dedication of researchers, volunteers and supporters of events like this race, children and young adults with Progeria are living 35 percent longer, on average, with long-term use of lonafarnib, the FDA-approved treatment for Progeria.
“We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of hosting PRF’s signature road race with our wonderful Peabody community — and thank you, as always, to our friends at North Shore Bank for once again being the lead sponsor,” said Audrey Gordon, President and Executive Director of PRF. “Our growing community of supporters is truly helping us step closer to the cure.”
Participants at the in-person race in Peabody included PRF co-founders Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, who were joined by special guests from the Progeria community — Carlos and Merlin, both of whom are Massachusetts residents.
“We are proud to once again be a part of this great event which raises money and awareness for an incredible cause,” said Kevin Tierney, Chief Executive Officer at North Shore Bank. “The passion and determination of PRF to find a cure for this disease is inspirational. Thank you to everyone who has registered to come out to run and walk for this special organization.”
