‘Warriors for CHM’ step up to save sight, running for a cure

Join the fight against Choroideremia (CHM), a rare inherited disorder leading to progressive vision loss and complete blindness on September 23. Photo: Courtesy of Holbrook Family

PARK CITY, Utah —  Join the fight against Choroideremia (CHM), a rare inherited disorder leading to progressive vision loss and complete blindness, by participating in the local fun run event- “Saving Sight Step by Step,” September 23 at 9 a.m. at  Good Movement Studio, located at 3770 UT-224, Park City.

This rare condition affects an estimated one in 50,000 individuals, exclusively males, with no available treatments or cures. Park City resident Michelle Holbrook, her two boys Damon (18) and Brixton (14), and many others in her family, including nephews, cousins, father, and uncles, all battle this disease in darkness.

“My oldest son, Damon, is such a go-getter; he is planning to go to college and major in genetic engineering and cure blindness,” Holbrook said. “He helps me with fundraising, he promotes them, we did bake sales the last two years in town. He has become a photographer; he wants to remember the moments. Brixton is at the age where he does not talk about it much, I am sure he worries about it.”

This fall, a team of 15 local runners known as ‘Warriors for CHM’ will conquer the New York City Marathon to raise funds in the ongoing quest for a cure.

The Fun Run offers various routes, including a mile, 5k and 10k run, followed by a Sausage Sizzle, coupled with prizes and raffles. By signing up for the Fun Run with a $50 entry fee, you contribute towards the $50,000 goal and support continued research.

‘Warriors for CHM’ is committed to turning this vision into reality,” Holbrook said. “With the continued community support, they hold onto hope that continuous research, scientific breakthroughs, and fundraising efforts will save the sight of Michelle’s family and countless others affected by CHM.”

“We have a lot of hope, and a lot of prayers, and hopefully a lot of money to help find a cure,” Holbrook said.”We have had so much support from this community; we moved here three years ago, and to have this group of women say, ‘I will run it with you’ [New York City Marathon] I just couldn’t believe it. It is so amazing to be surrounded by people who love you and my kids.”