Cerebral Palsy Foundation

In September 2020, the Pacific Northwest was blanketed with extremely hazardous air from wildfires that kept everybody indoors for 8 days. As an avid trail runner and lover of the outdoors, these days stuck inside made me feel depressed. All I wanted to do was go outside and run amongst the trees.

A few days into quarantine, I felt the Lord soften my heart & give me perspective about my situation. Instead of being unable to run for 1 week, what if this was my life? What if I was physically disabled & didn't have the abilities to get outside & explore all of nature's beauties that I love so much? These what ifs turned into "how can I love & help others who are physically less fortunate than me?"

As many of you know, I love running long distances & fundraising for a cause. It gives all of those training miles so much more meaning when I'm running to help better the lives of other people & share love. Last year it was 65 miles for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now I'm striving to run 100 miles for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF). 

I chose the Cerebral Palsy Foundation because they are transforming lives for people with cerebral palsy through research, innovation and collaboration. It breaks my heart how many people live with CP & how it greatly affects children. CP is a permanent condition with no known cure & it is the most common physical disability in children. I'd like to use the physical gifts God has given to run long distances to contribute to a cure and help improve the lives of those living with CP.

I've set a huge goal of $25,000 & I believe we can achieve this goal together! Just like training for a 100 mile run, my goal is to slowly chip away at this $25,000 one day at a time. My plan is to run my own 100 mile course on the beautiful trails of Central Oregon this July (date is TBD due to snow levels on higher elevation trails). I have a gorgeous route in mind & know I have an incredible crew of family & friends who will support me 110% of the way on this big dream of mine.

Regardless of if you donate or not, I am excited to invite you on this ultrarunning/fundraising journey with me to help cure CP.  Let's move forward together & see all the good and hope we can create for our friends struggling with CP!

Thank you for reading & for your support... more updates to come!

Best,

Mark Stockamp

Cindy passed away peacefully on Monday, April 16th, 2018.

Cindy was one of the best people you could ever meet. Even through her struggles with terminal cancer, she would always put her friends and family before her needs. Her infectious laughter and funny faces would brighten the lives of everyone around her. There is no one that Cindy met that didn’t fall instantly in love with her.

Cindy was also an extremely creative person, a world traveler and a lover of food. She would use these skills to seek out new restaurants, new ways to make art and new places to travel so she can experience those things with her loved ones. Every day she would live life to the fullest...even in the darkest hour. As a traveler, she has voyaged to heaven, and we are envious of the angels that will be able to spend time with her.

In running the marathon, half marathon, or 5k, our goal is to carry on what Cindy can’t do anymore—bringing awareness and raising money for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation on behalf of her amazing 5 year old who has CP.  Cindy would love that we’re doing this!

My brother Dre passed away at 26 Christmas Night. It was then that I was told that “He lived a long life for someone with Cerebral Palsy”. 26 should never be considered a long life for anyone! That’s why I am fundraising for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation every donation goes straight to them. CPF acknowledges that CP has no cure so they advocate policies and contribute to research on behalf of the families of those diagnosed with CP.