Heart Transplant Recipient Plans 5K in Rochester Hills

Christina Groen, the 30-year-old heart transplant recipient who ran her first 5K earlier this month, less than a year removed from receiving a new heart, is now planning her own 5K event this summer.

The Rochester Hills native and Auburn Hills resident has announced the 2nd Chance 5K on Aug. 24 at Bloomer Park, 345 John R. Road, in Rochester Hills. 

Groen, who received a transplant in August 2012, will be raising money to support post-transplant recipients and their families to help cover medical expenses. Groen said she has been unable to return to work following her own transplant, and the same holds true for many other transplant recipients, making it challenging for those individuals to continue to make ends meet.

Groen was diagnosed at 13 with having heart disease after physicians heard a “gallop” in her heart during a sports physical, a genetic affliction she would learn to deal with in her adolescence. After suffering several setbacks in her 20s, Groen entered the hospital in June 2012, just after her honeymoon, and received her new heart in August.

She ran her first 5K at the Ticker Trot in Oakland Township on June 1.

Groen maintains a blog, www.myspecialheart.org, where she gives readers updates on her recovery and personal milestones. The site also will be the home for 5K registrations, at www.myspecialheart.org/events.

The 5K begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24. Race fees are as follows:

• Children 13 and under: $20
• General public, through Aug. 11: $25
• General public, through Aug. 23: $30
• Race-day registration through 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 24: $35