Run for Ramos

Thom Ramos was by all accounts, a fun-loving guy who made the most of life. I didn't know him, but lots of people in Federal Hill did, and on Saturday they're holding a "Fun Run," - emphasis on the fun much more than the run - to honor his memory and raise money for the disease that took his life at the age of 32.

Ramos passed away on May 2, 2008 from ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). His friends wanted to raise money for research on the disease, and to have a blast doing it, so they came up with Run for Ramos. People will gather beginning at 2 p.m. at Grumpy's, on 25 E. Cross St., for drinks, and at 3:30 the "run" will take place - it's a single lap around Cross Street Market dubbed as a .5k. Then it's back to the bar until 6:00.

Thom loved to wear collard shirts, with the collar up, so all participants will receive a golf shirt and free food and drink donated by Grumpy's for the minimum $20 donation. Other donations can be sent to: Run for Ramos, c/o Kevin Horten, 417 E Clement St., Baltimore, Md. 21230. All proceeds raised will go to the Johns Hopkins University Hospital - ARDS Research Fund.

Collars up!