Family runs 5K in all 50 states, makes last stop on Maui
Nov 04, 2024
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- A dedicated military family of four made their final stop to complete a challenge of a lifetime for cleft awareness.
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Jeremy, Kelly, Caroline and Campbell Hough spent the spookiest day of the year running their final 5K on Maui at Keopuolani Park.
The effort follows the Hough family's personal experience when their daughter, Campbell, was born with a cleft. One in every 700 babies is born with it, which can affect their ability to speak, eat, hear and breathe.
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Campbell received "some of the best care in the United States: and was able to overcome the facial difference. While proper high-quality clef care is not accessible to children around the world, the Houghs came up with the idea of running to make a difference.
The family planned to run a 5K in all 50 states over 50 days.
"We kind of laid out that route all around the United States and started back in July and booked all of our campsites, cause we camped the whole way. Tonight is really our second night in a hotel, maybe third night in a hotel 'cause we stayed in one in Alaska at the very start but that’s it," explained Jeremy.
The Houghs are working with Smile Train, the world's largest cleft-focused organization, that uses funds to train doctors and providers around the world to care for children with clefts.
“It’s the comprehensive care that follows on that’s even just as important as that initial surgery. So, that’s where Smile Train helps with that initial surgery, and they also help with that comprehensive care down the road. Things like speech, physical therapy, orthodontics, nutrition," Jeremy added.
Campbell described their 50th run on Maui as "surreal" and emphasized the sense of accomplishment felt on the journey.
"We just really hope that we can spread awareness by just talking about what it is and what Smile Train does so people can learn. A lot of people don’t know and also raising awareness about how in the U.S. it’s not as seen as an issue really because we have great healthcare here, most people are able to get the care they need like me and other people like me," she added.