April 22, 2024
Living the Mission: Johnny’s Jog unites West Hartford
By Kirsten Fleming ’00
When Johnny Moran was born with Wieacker Wolff Syndrome, a rare debilitating condition that affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, his parents, Laura Hughes Moran ’00 and Dan Moran ’00, found themselves in uncharted waters: caring for a child with special needs.
But they found unconditional support and compassion.
“Because of Johnny, we were tapped into this world of humanity that we had no idea existed,” said Laura. That included medical teams and charities that helped to improve his quality of life.
Those vital organizations were front of mind in 2011 when the couple, with friends Dan and Kelly Clark, launched a St. Patrick’s Day-themed 5K in West Hartford, Connecticut, and named it Johnny’s Jog.
“Our goal was to pay it forward and make it a benefit, but also bring the community together. And it’s become a festival,” said Laura, who shares four other children with Dan.
After more than a decade, Johnny’s Jog has had thousands of participants and raised more than $800,000 for local charities, including the Miracle League of Connecticut, The Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, and Covenant Preparatory School, a tuition-free middle school. The race, with bagpipers and bands, has become a calendar highlight, drawing volunteers from the local schools and their athletic teams.
When Johnny died in 2016 at age 9, the event became a celebration of his enduring legacy.
Blessed with two pronounced dimples, a deep belly laugh, and twinkling eyes, he was an undeniable people magnet — not to mention his superhuman resilience in the face of countless medical trials.
“He would go through a battle, and genuinely come out with a smile on his face. He was such a love,” said Laura.
The proof? Many of Johnny’s former nurses, caretakers, and their families return annually for the race as volunteers, vendors, or sponsors.
Johnny’s health difficulties and death were “beyond a blow, and until you experience that, it’s hard to know how that feels,” Laura said. “But you start to see the value of life in many ways, and how he made other people feel. He drew people into our circle who are irreplaceable. Johnny really affected them.”
Not to mention the beneficiaries of his namesake race.
“It’s incredible to see the ripple effect of Johnny’s life.”
