Run Raises Over 1,000 copies of Hope Heals for Patients
and Families Suffering Stroke, Brain Injury and Disability

Grand Rapids, Mich., July 27, 2016 – On Saturday, July 16, 2016 starting at 2:00 AM, ultra-runner Anthony Zimmitti completed his all-time longest 68-mile run in 15 hours, with thousands of digital viewers tracking him, to raise more than one thousand copies of Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and Overcoming Love (April 2016) for patients and families suffering stroke, brain injury and disability.

Funds were raised through sponsorships of the 68-mile run of the “Backbone Trail” through the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles. Zimmitti was inspired to attempt his all-time longest run after Katherine and Jay Wolf shared their captivating story of defying the odds through hope after Katherine suffered a near-fatal brain stem stroke.

“We thought this run, in honor of Katherine who cannot run, was a profound picture, almost performance art, of how we can all use the unique gifts God has given us for the cause of others,” says Jay Wolf.  “From 2 Corinthians 1, we coined the phrase, “hope it forward” to inspire the big and small ways we all can take what we’ve received and give it away to those in need.

Eight years ago, Katherine’s life nearly ended when she suffered a massive brain stem stroke. She was only 26, had a 6-month-old son and had an exciting career in entertainment. What followed was a journey of pain, of suffering so deep that 90 percent of marriages fail for couples under age 30 when a spouse has a brain injury. But Katherine and her husband, Jay, have defied the odds through hope — with their marriage, with her progress, with the birth of a second child. In their book, Hope Heals, they share their very personal journey and offer hope to others struggling. Visit www.hopehealsbook.com to learn more.

Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

-end-