By  Danielle Sidi ’14, Staff Writer

Many Newark Academy students brought their dogs, families and friends to this year’s run for FOP. Professional runners came to race the course and everyone was excited to participate. Each runner paid an admission fee and all of the proceeds go straight to FOP researchers.

The construction of the new building at Newark Academy has had effects on this year’s FOP run. Lauren Whelan ’14 and Christian Pinto ’13 both confirmed that the main difference between this year and last year’s events is that the running course had to be shifted based on the construction site.

The run for FOP consists of a 5K course to raise money in support of FOP research. Ian Cali ’07 and his brother Jason ’05 both are NA alumni and a part of the FOP community. Ian was diagnosed with FOP at a very young age. The disease is so rare that there are only about 700 known cases. Mrs. Cali is grateful that Newark Academy cares about such a scarce condition. She said, “We [her family] never, never, ever thought the event would be as big as it is”. Jason Cali was president of his senior class and suggested the event to fundraise for FOP. To his surprise, the student council has kept voting to have the run for FOP, now in its 8th year.

Mrs. Cali notes, “I use Newark Academy as an example for the other few fundraisers for FOP”. The Academy plays a big part to help find the cure for FOP. The money raised varies each year, however the donations and runners altogether raise a few thousand dollars. So far this year over $18,000 has been raised, however incoming donations have not yet been taken into account.

The Cali family hopes that the scientists at the University of Pennsylvania with find a cure for FOP. With the help of Newark Academy’s annual Run for FOP, they will be one step closer to finding a cure.