Shawn's Anomaly Is Needing Help

Shawn’s Anomaly ( http://www.shawnsanomaly.org) is a looking for athletes to volunteer to help spread awareness about children born with birth defects and physical abnormalities.

The H.O.P.E. (Helping Others, Providing Education) flag was created to honor and inspire families affected by congenital birth defects. It is covered with the names of children that are affected or have lost their life to congenital birth defects. Over the past few years, the flag has been carried for many marathons and Ironman triathlons. We can't walk hand in hand with all of the kids across the finish line, but their names can cross with us.

Our goal is to have the H.O.P.E. Flag carried for every marathon mile of every US Ironman in 2014. We are looking for athletes to help this challenge become a reality.

Shawn’s Anomaly is the only non-profit dedicated to the mission of providing education, hope, and help to families affected by congenital anomalies

Sadly, birth defects are often overlooked by society unless it hits you close to home. Shawn, was born with several birth defects including one that affects 1 in 35,000,000 children. The feelings of hopelessness and the unknown that his parents (Matthew & Rachel Murphy) felt should never be felt by any parent. They decided to do whatever it took to prevent another family from going through what they did again alone.

We are looking for 2014 Ironman participates to carry the flag during the run portion of the Ironman. We are going to document the athlete's stories and training while pairing them up with a family affected by congenital anomalies The plan to tell each family's story and invite them to be there when the athletes finishes with the flag to catch their reaction. Once we collect all the athlete and family stories, we will then put them in an online documentary series called the Stories of H.O.P.E.

For additional information please contact: ShawnsIronman@gmail.com

Information about the H.O.P.E.: Flag Challenge: http://www.hopeflagchallenge.com

Information Shawn’s Anomaly: http://www.shawnanomaly.org

Information about the hope flag: http://www.shawnsironman.com/p/hope-flag.html