Austin High Darling Alum turned Pro Gives Back Through Sugar Land 5k

Devard Darling, Austin High alum turned NFL player is bringing a 5k family fun run/walk to Sugar Land, 8am, Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Constellation Field/Sugar Land Skeeters. It’s called the Darling Dash 5k & 1k and it’s a fundraiser benefiting the As One Foundation, which Darling started in honor of his late twin brother, Devaughn, to help young people unlock and unleash their full potential through athletics, education and spiritual enrichment.

Devard Darling

Participants can register online at www.DarlingDash5k.com. Donors can sign up online as well. Registration is $40 for adults and $30 for children under 12. Registration forms and payments, made out to the As OneFoundation, can be mailed to 6725 South Fry Road, Suite 700 #296; Katy, TX 77494. Race fees are tax deductible.

The As One Foundation has received a great response from people wanting to volunteer at the Darling Dash on race day. “There’s still more room on our list of sponsors, said As One Executive Director,” Tomia Austin, “Our immediate needs are for cash sponsors and in-kind donors of t-shirts, ice, color printing, banner signage, security, etc.” Darling Dash sponsors to date include: Panera Bread, Operation Hydration, Costco, The Driven, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Walmart.

“This Darling Dash 5k is a perfect fit for Sugar Land, said Thompson. “Its family, fun, fitness and a good cause all wrapped up in one.” Darling’s invited NFL friends who will be on hand as special guests for autographs and photos.

The Darling Dash commemorates the 16th anniversary of the death of Darling’s identical twin, Devaughn, who died during spring football practice at FSU. Both twins carry the sickle cell trait, which alone is no real threat to the 8% of Americans born with it annually. But, coupled with physical rigor and lack of hydration, could be fatal – as it was for Devaughn. Themed “Celebrating the Heart of Devaughn Darling”, Darling Dash revenue will help fund the As One Foundation’s efforts to prevent future deaths of young athletes by promoting sickle cell trait awareness through its Operation Hydration Project – an annual training program to prevent sports related deaths by educating the public on the correlation between the sickle cell trait and the lack of hydration.

“Houston has been my home since I was a little boy,” said Darling. “Helping young people brings me joy and I know in my heart this is what Devaughn would want.”

The As One Foundation takes its name from the fact that the doctor had been hearing two hearts beating As One while their mother carried them unaware she was having twins until their birth. Devard lives on to fulfill his and his brother’s shared dream to play professional football and to give back to both their homes – Houston, Texas and their native Bahamas. This dream of giving back was made official when the As One Foundation was established in 2007 as a public charity that annually provides scholarships to FBISD high school seniors through the Devard & Devaughn Darling Scholarship Awards and brings the twins’ love of football to children of the Bahamas every summer through the Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camps.

For more information on the As One Foundation or the Darling Dash 5k, phone 832-308-9984, email Tomia@AsOneFoundation.org or visit www.AsOneFoundation.org.