The Mercy Run: a run to remember

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer|September 22, 2016

The race in remembrance of Allison D'Auteuil daughter Mercy kicks off at Andy Brown East on Saturday, September 26, 2015. The race started at 7:42, the time of Mercy’s birth. Photo courtesy of Allison D’Auteuil.
The race in remembrance of Allison D’Auteuil daughter Mercy kicks off at Andy Brown East on Saturday, September 26, 2015. The race started at 7:42, the time of Mercy’s birth. Photo courtesy of Allison D’Auteuil.

In August 2011, pregant Allison D’Auteuil was given a gift bag containing a child’s dress that would never be worn.

 

As far as most of her students at Ballet Academy of Texas knew, she would have a baby girl who would be as cheerful and entertaining as her other two children named Justice and Grace, who are seven and nine, respectively. But D’Auteuil knew that her baby girl would never grow up to be like the two others. She would never speak, walk, go to school, graduate, draw on the walls or take a dance class.

 

By the time D’Auteuil was gifted a baby dress, her daughter Mercy had been diagnosed with a genetic condition known as Trisomy 13. While most babies do not survive to term with the condition, Mercy lived a beautiful and cherished 13 days after her birth on Sept. 8, 2011.

 

After losing her daughter, D’Auteuil found that the time she spent running was the reflection time she desperately needed.

Two children stand behind a banner for Mercy at a run in her memory on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Andy Brown East. The Mercy Run helped raise money to support children who have lost a sibling. Photo courtesy of Allison D’Auteuil.
Two children stand behind a banner for Mercy at a run in her memory on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Andy Brown East. The Mercy Run helped raise money to support children who have lost a sibling. Photo courtesy of Allison D’Auteuil.

 

“I can think about my little girl and what could have been and I can focus on the kids still with me,” D’Auteuil said.   

 

This concern for her two children after the loss of another led to the beginnings of Team Mercy. This team provides support to siblings after loss, giving them the opportunity to live their lives as normally as possible without their sibling.

 

Combining her motivation to help families like her own with her love of running, D’Auteuil began the Mercy Run, a nonprofit fun run, 5K and 10K, that supports grieving children and families. The run serves as a way for participants to remember children who have died and honor the siblings they left behind.

 

“I had been running with friends, using that as a way to deal with my grief,” D’Auteuil said. “One friend suggested we do a run to remember Mercy and to raise funds to help other families. I thought and prayed on it for a few days and we decided to give it a go.”

 

This year, the race will be held on Sept. 24. While the race usually takes place in Andy Brown Park East, due to construction it will take place at Unity Park in Highland Village.  

 

“Race day is full of emotions. I love to see all the people celebrating life. I am grateful for our team of supporters,” D’Auteuil said.


For more information or to register for the run, visit Mercy Run online at teammercy.org.

 

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