Coulter Hampton was diagnosed with a rare chromosome condition that was unheard of almost everywhere.

Hampton had Dyskerasosis Congenita — a genetic disease that doesn’t allow blood platelets to replicate properly.

In 2005, he was fighting for his life in a Cincinnati Hospital, when he caught a cold that resulted in his death.

Raising awareness of helping children with diseases is a big part of his mom, Nikki Hampton’s, life. She also knows it’s hard to ask others for money, even when a child is in need.

“My dad told me ‘you are the kind of people others want to help, that go work and try,’” Hampton recalled of the expenses involved with Coulter in 2005.

When medical expenses and the cost of traveling to hospitals became overwhelming for the Hampton family, the entire community reached out and began Coulter Hampton Day in Fairmount in 2005.

“Now, it’s our time to throw it back and give back when we thought we couldn’t make it,” she said.

In Coulter’s honor, Hampton and many other volunteers will raise both awareness for children with diseases and money for their causes this Saturday, March 12, at Coulter Hampton Day at Fairmount Elementary School on 130 PeachTree Street.

Sarah Williams is a special honoree for this year’s Coulter Hampton Day and is one of the local children who will benefit from the funds.

Coulter Hampton’s Run to Remember, a benefit 5K run or walk, will be the first event of the day to raise funds for the Coulter Hampton Foundation. The run will begin at 9 a.m. and registration is at 8:15 a.m. on Industrial Blvd. in Fairmount.

Coulter Hampton Day will also feature a Poker Run, inflatable jumpers for children, food and more.

“There’s something for everyone,” Hampton said. “We hope to have a good turnout and that the weather is good.”

The Coulter Hampton Foundation is a local, nonprofit agency that will use the money for children in need in Fairmount and Gordon County.

In the past, the Coulter Hampton Foundation has helped financially assist parents of critically ill children in paying for medical expenses and has contributed money to larger medical foundations.

Visit www.coulterhamptonfoundation.org for more information about the fundraiser. Those interested in donating to the cause can mail checks to 113 Mill Stone Lane, Calhoun, Ga. 30701.