Event Description
The Dash N’ Smash is a virtual run/walk that is put on by the Gastroparesis Pie Face Challenge. The purpose of the event is to inspire hope, raise awareness and fundraise for those battling Gastroparesis. Participants are invited to run/walk on at their convenience as participants can choose when, where, and how far to run/walk. Afterwords, participants are invited to take on the #GPPieFaceChallenge as a way to ”cool down”. There is no registration fee, however, we kindly ask that you consider making a donation to G-PACT, a 503 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports those with Gastroparesis and other Digestive Tract Paralysis Conditions based upon your distance goal (EX: $10 per mile).
Gastroparesis is a motility disorder that causes one's stomach muscles to improperly function leaving individual's unable to eat, digest, or absorb nutrients. Despite the condition effecting millions, there is no known cure & little awareness surrounding the condition. To change that, the Gastroparesis Pie Face Challenge was created in 2016. As part of the awareness campaign, participants are asked to smash a whipped cream pie in their face, challenge 3 others, and donate $1 to G-PACT, a non-profit supporting those with Gastroparesis. Since its creation, pies have been thrown across the globe by professional athletes, celebrities, media personalities, and GP Warriors as awareness continues to be spread.
To continue the mission of the GP Pie Face Challenge, the campaign typically host a local fundraising event leading up to national Gastroparesis awareness month (August) called the GP Pie A Thon. Although we are slowly returning to a pre-pandemic world, the decision was made to have one more virtual event before returning to an in-person event next year Last year, we had over 30 participants who worked together to raise over $1,300, a number we hope to exceed this year.
Although we won’t be together physically, there will be plenty of people walking/running across the country for one common reason: Gastroparesis. No matter where or when, or how far you go, I can assure you that Dash N’ Smash will be a day filled with hope, inspiration and fun. We will be connected virtually through videos and pictures. We will be rocking our green and are other Gastroparesis related gear. We will be taking on the #GPPieFaceChallenge afterwords as a way to “cool” down. Why? Because It’s time to bring GP into the light and make it known we want a cure NOW! Together, we can smash GP bit-pie-bit.
