This week’s blog posted is written by Allison Foss, a person living with myasthenia gravis and Executive Director of the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
It occurred to me recently that we have a lot of new faces around here. And so many may be wondering just what in the heck is the MGA Triple Crown Showdown which is rapidly approaching on Sunday May 19th at Town Center Plaza in Leawood.
Let me tell you a little story on just how this event was born. About 15 ½ years ago as I begun undergoing monthly plasmapheresis treatments to stabilize my myasthenia gravis, I started really thinking about how I could help the community in which I was living. I was raised in small town Iowa and my parents impressed on me the importance of giving back and being a part of the community, you live in.
Each month, as my treatments wore on, I would ponder on this topic until one day I had an idea, why not start a walk here in Kansas City to promote awareness of myasthenia gravis. At the time, the Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA) was hosting an awareness walk in memory of a support group leader in Ottawa, KS. I approached the director of the MGA with my idea and with that the MGA Walk Run and Roll was born and slated to take place later that spring at Heritage Park in Olathe, KS.
We pulled together a volunteer committee and some MGA Board members to plan the event. The first year had nearly 200 participants and raised over $20,000. Momentum was strong and planning for year two started right away. A second year at Heritage Park was also successful. So successful that the committee quickly realized we couldn’t return there. We were too big.
It was at this same time that the committee felt we needed to brand the event to make it different and bring more awareness, hence the name change to the MGA Triple Crown Showdown. Essentially making the event an official 5K run and walk to always take place the 3rd Sunday in May in conjunction with the Preakness Race, if you follow horse racing. A new location was secured at Town Center Plaza, an outdoor shopping center, in Leawood, KS. 2024 will mark our 11th race in this location!
We’ve designed the MGA Triple Crown Showdown to be a race for all. You can run a 5K, you can mosey the mile, you can cheer on the kids in the tot trot, my favorite part, or you can be stuck in your stall, a virtual participant. We also have a very special tent for our VIPs (individuals living with MG who register for no charge). You’ll find vendors lining the walkway, photo ops, miniature ponies, a kid’s area complete with face painting, merchandise, and raffle options and some of the friendliest faces you’ll ever meet.
Tears stream down my face as I think about the evolution of the MGA Triple Crown Showdown through the years and the impact on the MG community. The amount of blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this event are a lifetime and beyond. The event has weathered COVID-19, 2 rainstorms, 1 monsoon, windy days with bagels flying everywhere and some of the most beautiful Kansas sunrises you’ll ever see.
I hope you’ll join us next Sunday, May 19th at Town Center for the 13th Annual MGA Triple Crown Showdown as we celebrate and raise awareness of myasthenia gravis. www.mga5k.com to register, volunteer or donate.
To our sponsors, volunteers, committee, board, and participants, thank you for your commitment to making this a success.
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