Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K to return Sept. 6

American Legion Post 17 in Lewes will host the Sixth Annual Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K and Kiddie K to benefit the Rylie’s Smile Foundation at 8 a.m., Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, at 113 American Legion Road, Lewes. To register, go to races2run.com.

Rylie’s Smile Foundation is named after Rylie Maedler, now 15, who endured extensive surgery and rehabilitation following an aggressive bone tumor diagnosis at age 7, and later dealt with a seizure disorder.

Working with specialists, Rylie received and has had success from an alternative medication. When Rylie was 9, with help from Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, Rylie’s Law was passed in 2015 and benefitted other children with similar conditions. Rylie has continued to petition for passage of several more laws in Delaware to improve safer access for pediatric patients. These include access to medication on school property, permission for patients with severe pediatric autism to receive medical cannabis oils, and the right to try it for patients who have no other treatment options available. Through the foundation, Rylie and her mother are involved with international advocacy and research addressing pediatric use of medical cannabis.

Rylie’s mother Janie Maedler thanks all sponsors including American Legion Post 17, Shimadzu, Funland, D3, Paws for People, ACTIV Pest Solutions, Rylie’s Sunshine, Races2Run, Nova Timing, JD Shuckers, The Fresh Market, Rehoboth Sunrise Rotary, Bad Hair Day?, NKS Distributors, Certified Running Nuts and many others who have supported the cause.

Rylie’s Smile Foundation is a nonprofit focused on bringing the smiles back to sick children and their families by helping them achieve a better quality of life through health education, technology devices, advocating for treatment options for seriously sick children, and supporting research of less toxic therapy. To learn more or to donate, go to RyliesSmileFoundation.org.