Back when 1999 Wellesley High School graduate Emily St. Thomas was a member of the Indoor Track team, she raced for fun. St. Thomas still races, but today the stakes are higher as she, her family, and friends raise money for a cure to treat the rare skin disease St. Thomas’ 2-year-old daughter Elodie suffers from.

Despite her health challenges, Elodie is a happy, active toddler.

Enter the second annual Plunge For Elodie, which will take place on March 2, at 8am, at Morses Pond, with breakfast to follow at the Wellesley College Club also. There are many ways to help out Elodie: you can take the plunge, cheer the brave participants on, donate, or do a Virtual Plunge of your own.

The 2018 Plunge for Elodie raised $150K. This year organizers have increased the goal to $200K. 100% of the funds raised go to fighting Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disorder that means that Elodie is missing a critical protein that helps bind the layers of the skin together, making her skin extremely fragile. Her skin breaks or blisters with everyday contact. Currently there is no cure or treatment for this disease. Elodie’s bandages must be changed daily, a painful and difficult process. Still, with the love of her family and friends she remains a happy, well-adjusted toddler.

But Elodie deserves more than her life expectancy of 30 years and better than the daily risk of infection. There are promising clinical trials underway, so it’s just a matter of funding to enact change.

Here are the details on the Plunge:

There is no fee to Plunge.
Everyone must sign a brief waiver prior to plunging.
Waivers can be signed online or at Morses Pond’
All plungers and spectators are invited to a casual breakfast celebration immediately afterwards at the Wellesley College Club.
100% of the funds raised directly benefit the EB Research Partnership (EBRP), the largest non-profit dedicated to funding research aimed at treating and ultimately curing EB.

Here’s how to donate to the cause.

What to bring:

Two Towels
Blanket, Robe or Jacket
Old sneakers or Water Shoes (to wear into the water)
Change of Clothes and Shoes for post Plunge
Plastic Bag for wet items
Swim caps will be provided
Sign your waiver in advance or, if under 18, have a parent come to sign the morning of