An Owensboro family is turning heartbreak into advocacy through the upcoming Strides 4 CMV: Running for Ruth 5K Run & Walk, an event designed to raise awareness about congenital cytomegalovirus while honoring the life of Ruth Wells.
The race is scheduled for June 20 at Joe Ford Nature Park – Adkisson Greenbelt West, located at 3870 W. 2nd St. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and all proceeds will benefit the National CMV Foundation.
The event was created by Madison Wells and her husband, along with friends and family members who loved Ruth, their daughter who died on June 3, 2024, at 7.5 months old due to complications from congenital CMV.
Wells said she and her husband learned 21 weeks into the pregnancy that Ruth was critically ill and likely would not survive because of the effects CMV had already caused to her body.
“We had never heard of CMV,” Wells said. “Neither have 91% of women. It’s unfortunate that something that affects 1 in 200 pregnancies is rarely talked about or mentioned during prenatal appointments.”
CMV is a common virus that can cause severe complications for babies infected during pregnancy. Wells said there is currently no vaccine, but there are steps women can take to reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy.
“I wish I had known about them before Ruth,” Wells said. “Our experience with congenital CMV through Ruth’s journey is why we continue to advocate for awareness and funding for the National CMV Foundation.”
Ruth was born at 34 weeks in October 2023 and spent 84 days in the NICU at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Despite being given little chance of survival, she lived for more than seven months.
During their time in Cincinnati, Wells said her sister, Meredith, became a constant source of support for the family.
“She would come visit and give us a little bit to relax and breathe — just a break from the medical chaos,” Wells said.
Wells said Meredith, an avid runner who first inspired her to begin running, is now helping carry Ruth’s legacy forward through the event and continued fundraising efforts.
“To commit to raise the money, put in the hours training, travel — all to keep Ruth’s memory alive — is massive,” Wells said. “Meredith is tough like Ruth, so I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Wells previously announced she had been accepted as a charity runner for the 2025 New York City Marathon through the National CMV Foundation, committing to raise money and awareness in Ruth’s honor.
She said the local 5K was created not only to remember Ruth, but to educate families about CMV and help prevent others from experiencing similar loss.
“Our race is all about spreading awareness and reminding people that even the smallest lives make the biggest difference,” Wells said. “It’s a race that was created from love and the desire to do something about the fact we lost our daughter to CMV, and we don’t want other families to suffer.”
Participants crossing the finish line will receive a Baby Ruth candy bar, which Wells said will likely be handed out by Ruth’s sister, Nora.
Registration for the event is $25. More information about congenital CMV, including prevention and research, is available at NationalCMV.org. Participants can register for the race at RunSignUp.com.
