Run and walk event organizers say they want to help moms undergoing addiction treatment

Heroes in Recovery 6K event is at 7 a.m., Saturday, in Coconut Creek

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Linda A. said she was a good student and went to church every Sunday when she was a teen. But the "party was on" after she joined the U.S. Air Force and continued after she had children. 

Her liver and pancreas rose the red flag. She could no longer live with the secrets that surrounded her use of drugs and alcohol to numb painful memories. And there was a darker secret that she needed help with.

"My father, the man who was supposed to be protecting me and providing a good example of how I should live, had molested me for quite a few years," she shared on the Heroes In Recovery website. "I realized how wrong this was, but I never said a word."

On April 18th, Linda posted that she went into treatment in 2012 and her life was better. She courageously put her shame aside to participate in the Heroes in Recovery network project. To help kill the stigma associated with getting help for addictions and mental health disorders, the network is also organizing charitable 6K events nationwide.

Their South Florida run and walk event this Saturday will benefit the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center in Pembroke Pines. The rehab, founded by the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale in 1995, is the only one in Broward County that allows children to live with their moms, while they get treatment.

Broward County Park & Recreations and a few companies involved on the business of outpatient and inpatient treatment are hosting the event and the after party, which will include food, music and awards for participants. 

The family event begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, May 3rd, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Rd., in Coconut Creek, and registration is $40 on race day. Registration on the website closes at noon May 2nd and is $35.