Quake survivor, fellow runners use ING Miami Marathon to raise awareness, funds for work in Haiti

MIAMI, January 24, 2012 — Two years ago, Faradhia Moise had no thought of running in a marathon. She was lucky simply to be alive. When a deadly earthquake shook the Haitian capital of Port au Prince, Moise was trapped for more than two days under the rubble of a grocery store.

One of few survivors, Moise joined World Vision as a children’s advocate to help protect children who had survived the quake.

Today, she is preparing to join colleagues from World Vision’s Haitian earthquake response program and American runners with Team World Vision to participate in the Miami Marathon.

Team World Vision is an initiative of World Vision through which athletes train for events while raising funds for the Christian humanitarian organization’s clean water projects.

“These runners have worked so hard — not only to train for the race, but also to raise resources for projects that will save lives in Haiti,” said Team World Vision coordinator Carrie Schlough. “It’s such an inspiration to watch them — and to be a part of their journey.”

Some of Team World Vision’s runners include:

Faradhia Moise: Senior Advisor for Child and Youth Participation for World Vision’s Haiti Earthquake Response Program. Moise was rescued from the rubble of a supermarket following the 2010 earthquake, after being trapped for more than two days. Moise will travel with three of her colleagues from Port au Prince to Miami to participate in the marathon.

Jennifer Becker and Rebekah Blanco: Team Co-Captains for Journey 2012, Becker and Blanco have built a team of more than 50 runners and have raised more than $25,000. Becker has recruited sponsors who donate money for each mile she runs. Blanco used to have dread locks and has shaved them, one-by-one as friends and fans have donated to her efforts.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald: A Miami firefighter, Fitzgerald was deployed to Haiti within 24 hours of the earthquake to provide search and rescue support. He ran in the 2010, as well as the 2011 marathons.

Pastor Kevin Fischer and daughter Carol Fischer: This father/daughter team is running its second ING Miami Half Marathon. The pastor of Miami Vineyard Church says that training with his daughter has been a wonderful way to connect with her. Following a church mission trip to Haiti, their training and participation has united and energized their church community to commit to serving in Haiti.

These runners, as well as Team World Vision staff Carrie Schlough and Kirsten Stearns are available for interview before and following the race. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Gardi Wilks or John Yeager.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews