PRF's 20th Annual Race for Research Returns In-Person

NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Eleanor Maillie
978-879-9244
emaillie@progeriaresearch.org

PROGERIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S 20TH ANNUAL RACE FOR RESEARCH RETURNS IN-PERSON

PEABODY, MA – On Saturday, September 18, 2021, The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) will host its 20th Annual International Race for Research in-person on their Peabody, MA course. The first Peabody race since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, PRF’s 20th Annual Race for Research will provide an opportunity for the Peabody community to come together over the course of what would have been the city’s famous International Festival celebration, but which has been canceled again this year due to COVID-19. For the second year, the race will also feature a virtual component so supporters can participate from all over the world.

Sponsored by PRF and its long-time partner, North Shore Bank, this signature event features a 5K road race, 2-mile walk, and dog watering station. Participants can walk or run in-person in Peabody or virtually in their own communities in support of PRF’s mission to discover treatments and the cure for Progeria and its aging-related disorders, including heart disease. Progeria is a 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.

“We’re so thrilled to be back together in-person this year and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our signature road race with our wonderful North Shore family!” said Audrey Gordon, President and Executive Director of PRF. “We’re also excited to offer a virtual component this year, to those who can’t be present with us on race day. With this being the first race in Peabody in almost 2 years, and the main International Festival not taking place, we hope a record number of people come out to celebrate our community and these amazing children.”

Participants at the in-person race in Peabody will include co-founders Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, and there will be a few surprises in celebration of the 20th year. Access online registration at www.prfroadrace.org or by calling 978-535-2594.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this hybrid event,” said Kevin Tierney, Chief Executive Officer at North Shore Bank. “PRF’s passion and determination to find a cure for this fatal disease is inspirational. We’re thrilled to once again be the title sponsor of the International Race for Research.”

About The Progeria Research Foundation

The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 by the family of Sam Berns, a child with Progeria. PRF funds and conducts research-related programs, including the clinical trials and studies that led to approval of the first-ever FDA-approved drug for Progeria, Zokinvy. PRF is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to finding treatments and the cure for Progeria and its aging related conditions, including heart disease. Due to the discovery of the biological connection between Progeria, heart disease and aging, finding the cure for one of the rarest diseases on earth could provide keys for treating millions of adults with heart disease and stroke associated with the natural aging process, as well as help the entire aging population. The organization fills a void, taking these children out of the background where they had been for more than 100 years and putting them and Progeria at the forefront of scientific efforts. PRF’s International Progeria Patient Registry includes children from 65 countries. For more information, and to support PRF’s mission, please visit www.progeriaresearch.org.

About North Shore Bank

North Shore Bank is a full-service community bank based in Peabody, Massachusetts and serving the personal and business banking needs of the North Shore, eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Established in 1888, the bank operates out of eighteen area offices, located in Beverly, Danvers, Merrimac, Middleton, Peabody, Reading, Salem, Saugus and Newton, New Hampshire. Call 978-573-1300 to be connected to any office, or visit www.northshore-bank.com to learn more about the bank’s products and services.