The upcoming Oberlin five-kilometer run on May 6 has been a two-year development for sophomore Rachel Brender. Since stepping on Oberlin’s flat terrain as a first-year, she has tossed and turned over how to implement a fundraising project to raise money for a non-profit organization that has become an integral part of her family for over six years. Now, thanks to the aid of Assistant Track and cross country coach Jason Hudson and The Heisman Club, Brender’s dream will come true.

In 2000, Brender’s younger sister, Danielle, tragically passed away from an undiagnosed heart disorder. According to Brender, her 11-year-old sister was at their neighbor’s house, sitting at the kitchen table drawing a picture of two angels when she was startled by a car horn. The shock killed her immediately.

“She drew, she danced...she was the [most] perfect person you could have ever imagined,” said Brender, smiling. She was just 13 when her sister passed away.

The Brender family had no idea Danielle had a genetic heart disorder. There were only two symptoms possible: fainting and sudden death. Danielle had no history of fainting. The most devastating truth is that it could have been prevented.

Thousands of people die each year from undiagnosed genetic heart disorders. While detection has been slim to none over the years, the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)  on the site can save lives. The only problem is these devices are not as common in society as should be expected. Enter the Brender family.

While they were still reeling from their loss, the Brender family took immediate steps to make sure this grievous situation never happens again. A month and a half after Danielle’s passing, they created the Danielle Brender Fund Inc., a non-profit organization that supports research for heart disorders, promotes cardiopulmonary resuscitation and raises funds for AEDs.

The organization is located in Brender’s hometown of Millburn, New Jersey. Since its founding, the family has worked to raise money to put defibrillators in schools and to train people to use them and CPR in the community for free.

Apart from recently training 200 people, the organization also promotes universal ElectroCardiogram (EKG) screening. It is a method to help detect any heart disorder. Brender says that they are trying to promote legislation and training in EKGs as well, noting that early diagnosis could save many lives.

“If people are diagnosed at a young age, they could be put on medication and prevent the heart disorder from happening,” said Brender. She pointed out that other nations are taking steps to improve access to diagnoses and to promote awareness of the disorder’s existence. In Italy, the Ministry of Health requires all athletes to have EKGs.

In Millburn, there is a feeling of a close community surrounding Brender’s aspirations and goals. However, when Brender came to Oberlin, she was unsure how to reach out to a community that was unaware of such an issue. Her first step, talking to Hudson about organizing a fundraising run, proved very successful.

“I went to Coach Hudson about a possible 5K run. He was really excited and enthusiastic about it,” said Brender.

Brender could not have organized the run without the generous sponsorship of the Heisman Club, which promotes health and wellness in the community.

With the financial support, Brender started putting the event together. She talked to the superintendent of all the Oberlin public schools about participation in the run. She also plans to send flyers out to surrounding areas like Amherst and Elyria.

“Anybody we can reach, we are trying to get to come,” said Brender.

She learned that defibrillators are found in public schools here, but many are unaccessible and many people do not know how to use them. Brender’s goal is to help educate people. The money earned from the run will go to free training to people across the entire community, including the college and high school.

“The event has two goals: bring the community together and to raise money to train people,” explained Brender.

The last day to pre-register for the 5K run is April 30, at a cost of $15; registration on race day is $20. Besides the 3.1-mile run, there is also a 1 mile “fun run” and a 400-meter run for children. The kids run has a $12 pre-registration fee and is $14 on race day.

There are sign-up forms at the front desk of the gym, along with inside Mudd and at the Wilder front desk. The race begins at 9 a.m. on May 6. There is a $150 grand prize, and top overall male and female runners will receive plaques.

“There will be T-shirts, food and we will have a lot of fun. Everyone should do it!” said Brender.