Awareness for Onchocerciasis 5K Run/Walk,

About the event

IEF is holding its FIRST annual Awareness for Onchocerciasis River Blindness 5K Run/Walk on April 22, 2018 at Anacostia Park in Washington D.C!

Onchocerciasis is an eye and skin disease caused by a parasitic worm transmitted through black flea bites, that live near rivers and streams. This is the second-most common cause of blindness from infection. 

IEF has been part of an initiative to control Onchocerciasis in Cameroon. Since 1992, Merck & Company, Inc. has donated Mectizan® to be distributed through Cameroon's Adamoua and South Provinces. IEF has pledged, along with other foundations, an initiative to help fight Neglected Tropical Diseases. 

The 5K Run/Walk is to raise awareness for Onchocerciasis as well as raise funds for communities affected by the disease. Come join us at this family-friendly event and help us with our mission. 

ITINERARY: 
7:00 AM: REGISTRATION and Check-In
7:45 AM: Opening Speech by IEF CEO/President 
8:00 AM: Race begins! 
9:30 AM: All runners must cross the finish line

Granola bars and water bottles will be distributed at the end of the race. 

Directions to Anacostia Park and parking options can be found on this website. https://www.nps.gov/anac/planyourvisit/directions.htm 

We thank you in advance for your support and donations!

Why should you sponsor?

Our event raises money for more programs to be set up globally where onchocerciasis affects millions of people and their eye sight. The loss of daily home and work functions creates more poverty and takes the joy away from living a healthy lifestyle. With your help, we can help those who are affected by river blindness by creating programs that help set up treatment. 

Pooja Doshi

My name is Pooja Doshi and I am a Program Manager at the International Eye Foundation. I am the main organizer for this event and this is our first 5K Run/Walk for our foundation. Our non-profit has made many marks and crossed many milestones internationally, but we would like to create more of a local presence to create a bigger donor base, so more donations can be given to our international programs of saving sight around the world. 

Contact the Organizer Contact the Organizer