Have you ever wanted to be in a massive food fight?
Well, Raymond Luke of Mount Laurel, New Jersey is bringing that dream to reality — and it will be for a good cause.
Luke’s three-and-a-half year old son, Owen, contracted a condition known as Short Bowel Syndrome shortly after his birth. This syndrome prevents his small intestine from absorbing all necessary nutrients and confined Owen to the hospital for the first six months of his life.
Even now, three years later, Owen has some unique challenges he must overcome every day. He is currently on an IV of nutrients to supplement what his small intestine cannot absorb, which has resulted in an oral aversion to food.
Luke revealed, "While he can eat as much as he wants, all of his food has to go through a tube in his nose, which prevents him from doing some things, like swimming for instance."
Owen’s specific condition is not very common in the United States, but gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are quite prevalent and rarely receive as much attention as they deserve. In an effort to change that, Luke decided to start a campaign to raise awareness and funds for all pediatric GI conditions.
Why a food fight?
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"Even before he developed his aversion to food, Owen would love to throw food around," Luke explained. “A lot of organizations hold a 5K or 10K, so they get lost in the mix. Not only is a food fight really fun, but it’s a great cause. It is extremely memorable and a unique way to do good."
The food fight is still in the early planning stages, but if it is a success, Luke plans to implement the event around the country to create national visibility for his cause.
"I want to take it to other regions so people don’t have to travel all the way to New Jersey to participate," he said.
Once the event specifics have been confirmed, they will be looking for volunteers to assist with set up and clean up.
For more information about the Luke’s cause and details about the impending food fight, check out their website.