Lace Up Your Sneakers! The Houston-based As One Foundation Announces its 14th Year Return of the Sickle Cell 10K, 5K, 1K Races

The Darling Dash is held in honor of the As One Foundation founder and former Houston Texans player Devard Darling’s identical twin brother, Devaughn, who died from complications of Sickle Cell Trait.

The annual race helps to bring awareness to athlete deaths that plague the sickle cell community. Sickle Cell Trait is classified as the leading non-injury killer of college athletes and affects 2.5 to 4 million people in the U.S.

“Playing in the NFL was a dream for me and my brother,” said Darling. “I never thought that we wouldn’t be able to carry out our dream together. Since his death, I’ve made it my life’s mission to shine a light on sickle cell trait-related deaths among high school and college athletes.” Proceeds from the race help to provide training material and testing kits for the “Operation Hydration” training program and supplies for outreach efforts for over 700 coaches and teachers.

Funds from the race also support monthly blood drives in partnership with Red Cross and the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Bank for sickle cell patients who need lifesaving blood transfusions once or twice a month.

The event will take place Sunday, February 26 at Stude Park in The Heights, kicking off at 8 a.m.

The foundation says, “Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) can kill. It takes the lives of young athletes every year. A simple blood test along with supplemental SCT education for coaches and student-athletes can prevent these deaths. For each $10 donation, we can provide one student with a free Sickle Cell Trait screening and supplemental education.”

Click here for more information or to register for the race.