Marathon Runner Leaps Past Injury

0
1221
Debra Hayburn, left, is joined by Edward Gonzalez and Patsy Howser at last year’s OC Half Marathon.
Debra Hayburn, left, is joined by Edward Gonzalez and Patsy Howser at last year’s OC Half Marathon.

A few months after undergoing surgery, Laguna local Debra Hayburn is preparing to resume running marathons.

In 2012, when her sister-in law was diagnosed with breast cancer, Hayburn established Team Laura through the John Wayne Cancer foundation to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.

Last year, Hayburn, 52, experienced her own medical problem, which she feared would limit her ability to continue running. She’s completed 50 races and wants to sustain the memory of her sister-in-law, who lost her battle with cancer in 2013, with Team Laura. To date, Team Laura has raised $100,000 for cancer research through seven races.

Hayburn underwent a procedure in February to replace the ruptured spinal disc that caused her severe back and neck pain with an artificial disc.

Today, she is pain-free and plans to run with Team Laura at the May 3 Orange County Half Marathon, which starts in Newport Beach.

Supporters Pull the Heartstrings for Nonprofits

Kids from the Anaheim Family YMCA show their love for iheartoc Giving Day.
Kids from the Anaheim Family YMCA show their love for iheartoc Giving Day.

The Orange County Community Foundation claims Tuesday, April 21, for its first-ever county-wide day of giving and aims to deliver $2 million in funding in just 30 hours.

Promoters aim to inspire people to show their love for local nonprofits with donations on the iheartoc.org website during the marathon.

Participating nonprofits will share $400,000 in bonus awards and $118,000 in prizes provided by community sponsors. More than a dozen Laguna Beach nonprofits – from the Food Pantry to the Dance Festival – are among the 340 participating in the effort that begins at 6 a.m. and runs through noon April 22.

The minimum donation is $25.

A family-friendly rally is planned from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Irvine Spectrum. Supporters will also make a pitch at Angels Stadium.

 

Food Bank Benefits from Whole Foods

It’s no wonder Laguna Food Pantry supporters are all smiles.
It’s no wonder Laguna Food Pantry supporters are all smiles.

Laguna Beach shoppers supported Whole Foods’ Feed 4 More campaign, donating $12,923 in November.

Customers could donate at the register by rounding up their total to the next dollar, donating their 10-cent bag credit, dropping change into a jar or by adding any amount onto their bill.

Whole Foods Market also donated canned and packaged goods to stock Laguna Food Pantry’s shelves and the cash will be used to purchase food from county food banks and to offset basic expenses, says a Pantry announcement.

“Again this year, as a percentage of store sales, our store collected more than any other in our region,” said Joni Newman, a spokeswoman for the Laguna Beach market.

 

Salon Raises Funds with Fashion Show

Participants in the benefit by the Laguna Beach salon Belo Blow Dry Bar.
Participants in the benefit by the Laguna Beach salon Belo Blow Dry Bar.

Belo Blow Dry Bar and OC Style Report recently raised $1,000 at a fashion show benefit for International Sanctuary, which aids victims of sex trafficking.

 

 

Share this:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here