Audiology group hosts glow-in-the-dark 5k
Students will gather Friday night wearing glow-in-the-dark accessories and running shoes – all in the name of providing hearing aid for kids and community members.
The Student Academy of Audiology at USU is hosting a glow-in-the-dark 5-kilometer run to raise money for the department’s mission to help community members with hearing retention and hearing loss in Central America, as well as in Cache Valley. The run will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 between the HPER field and the education building.
“We encourage participants to dress up in their brightest costume, glow paint, glow sticks and accessories to light up the night sky,” said Heather Jensen, a professor in the communicative disorders and deaf education department.
According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, five out of every 1,000 newborns are born with hearing loss. They said listening to an MP3 player at high volumes over time can cause permanent hearing damage.
The race is a fundraiser to take approximately 18 volunteer students to remote areas in Central America that lack hearing health care.
According to Suzy Reed, a graduate student within the department, members of the community who receive the screening and qualify will also receive hearing aids free of charge. An additional presentation at the race will give a local child a set of hearing aids.
“It is amazing to be able to give those in need the gift of hearing,” Jensen said. “Participating in this race is a way to help others in need.”
“We had about 225 people last year and everyone had a lot of fun,” said Heather Olsen, a graduate student in the audiology program.
The goal for the run this Friday is not just to raise the $5,000 the department is hoping for, but to make it fun as well.
“We wanted to make the run unique and fun for everyone involved, so we came up with the idea of doing a night run on campus,” Jensen said. “We thought it would appeal to the USU students as well as the community.”
Local businesses are getting behind the run by providing a “swag bag” to be presented to all the participants upon arrival. Items in the bag range from glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces to coupons for Frosties from Wendy’s. USU is also supporting the cause by hosting the run on the campus.
“I think the biggest thing is what the money is going for – providing kids there and here with the ability to hear,” Olsen said.
Packet pick up and on-site registration begins at 7 p.m. Entertainment and activities start at 7:45 p.m. and include a zumba instructor, music, photo opportunities and the airborne gymnastics cheerleaders.
Registration online is $20 for students and $25 for non-students. The cost is $28 for everyone on the day of the event.
For more information, visit run4hearing.com.