“Racing for RUN” by Mathew Webster

Maverick Modified #97

Driver: Matthew Webster, age 30

Spouse: Ciara Webster, age 27

Children: McKynlee Webster, age 5

I chose to “Race for RUN” this season.

Rare & Undiagnosed Network (RUN) has played a huge part in my life since the day I was introduced, twelve months ago.

RUN is raising awareness for all types of rare and undiagnosed diseases in children, teens, adults, and Angels.

“Racing for RUN” is important to me because I am a husband to a rare and undiagnosed wife, Ciara. My wife has been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases and one that has not yet been diagnosed. She needs whole exome sequencing. My wife experienced her first symptoms at eleven years old, which was over sixteen years ago. At that point in her life, there wasn’t one support group, nonprofit organization or a community that even understood what a “Rare disease” or “Undiagnosed disease” meant. In the last 12 months of being involved with RUN, my wife and I have gained another “family”. This family understands our struggles. They can relate to our stories. And, they make us feel comfortable when others cannot. A huge part of staying strong through a fight with the uncertainty of a rare and/or undiagnosed disease is a support system and then acceptance.

By racing for RUN, I am hoping to keep raising awareness for our community living in the Rare and Undiagnosed world of the unknown.
Last race season, I dedicated the it to one of our RUN family members, Harlie Valdez. Harlie is fighting a rare autoimmune disease known as Juvenile Dermatomyositis. After meeting Harlie for the first time, I felt an instant bond. Who wouldn’t? She is amazing!

It was the first time my wife and I could relate to another person and an entire family about a rare disease. Harlie wasn’t just fighting a rare disease, she was fighting for her life. She spent over twelve months in the hospital and with multiple life threatening moments.

She stayed positive and fought everyday to make it through. There was no doubt in my mind, I wanted to support her in every way I could. I printed her favorite picture on my race car, her #HelpforHarlieGoFundMe page.

I was determined to fight outside of her four walls of the hospital for her while she spent her time fighting to raise money, support, and awareness.

I finished the season with my 5th Figure 8 championship.

Every time my car touched the racetrack, Harlie and her determination ran through my mind as I pushed myself every race to the finish line.

Of all my years of racing, last year was the most self-rewarding, racing for Harlie Valdez and her entire family.
I will continue racing for Harlie this year, in addition to our entire RUN family, who are struggling for answers, fighting rare diseases, and/or have rare Angels.

Please visit our Facebook page C & M Motorsports for the latest race updates and sponsorship inquiries.
https://www.facebook.com/C-M-Motorsports-784205845048175/

For more information on Harlie Valdez.

For more information on RUN

If you want to attend on June 4th for Matthew’s first race, please email gina@rareundiagnosed.org.

#Race4RUN #Undiagnosed #HelpforHarlie #RareDisease #RUNmyDNA