St. Jude's marathon
By Claire Dickinson, Editor
Family and friends of Heaven Kelley visited Memphis, Tennessee to be a part of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend on December 6. They spent their time visiting the St. Jude’s Research Hospital and running in the charity races.
Joining the Kelley family were the Moreno family, Maddie Dombroski, Kylee Dale, Haylee Weaver, and many more friends and family. The group also visited the hospital facilities.
Senior Arianne Moreno shared that the experience was “so cool.” Not only do the facilities give exceptional care, but also the features of the building itself are meaningful. In one wing of the hospital, a Hall of Fame hangs for cancer survivors who spent time in that hospital. In each photo, a survivor holds a picture of themselves from when they had cancer. “It’s something that is so meaningful to the patients and gives them hope,” said Moreno. She mentioned that some of the survivors now work for the research hospital. Sophomore Kylee Dale shared that the experience was “emotional” and an “eye-opener.”
The main event of the weekend was the Charity Run for Children with Cancer. The marathon symbolized that the work being done at St. Jude is a marathon, not a sprint. Every mile represented a milestone, or scientific breakthrough to save lives. Thousands of people were at this event to raise money for the cause. The funds ensure that the families of St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food. Along the trail, cancer patients stood on the sidelines giving high fives to the runners, cheering them on and handing out bottles of water.
Many of the Boiling Springs group ran the 5K. “The kids looked so happy to see us running for them. It was so uplifting,” said Moreno. Freshman Jake Walker pushed Heaven in a wheelchair the whole way on the 5K course. Heaven’s mom Jamey ran the half marathon race which was a total of 13.1 miles long. Before the end of the course, she met Heaven and pushed her to the finish line. Dale and Dombroski also ran the half marathon. “We did not train for the event, so we were very tired and sore afterward,” said Dombroski. “In the end, it was all worth it.”
Overall, $7.5 million was raised for St. Jude’s Research Hospital. This amazing weekend helped cancer patients and their families dramatically. “I am so glad I had the opportunity to go,” said Dombroski.
Family and friends of Heaven Kelley visited Memphis, Tennessee to be a part of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend on December 6. They spent their time visiting the St. Jude’s Research Hospital and running in the charity races.
Joining the Kelley family were the Moreno family, Maddie Dombroski, Kylee Dale, Haylee Weaver, and many more friends and family. The group also visited the hospital facilities.
Senior Arianne Moreno shared that the experience was “so cool.” Not only do the facilities give exceptional care, but also the features of the building itself are meaningful. In one wing of the hospital, a Hall of Fame hangs for cancer survivors who spent time in that hospital. In each photo, a survivor holds a picture of themselves from when they had cancer. “It’s something that is so meaningful to the patients and gives them hope,” said Moreno. She mentioned that some of the survivors now work for the research hospital. Sophomore Kylee Dale shared that the experience was “emotional” and an “eye-opener.”
The main event of the weekend was the Charity Run for Children with Cancer. The marathon symbolized that the work being done at St. Jude is a marathon, not a sprint. Every mile represented a milestone, or scientific breakthrough to save lives. Thousands of people were at this event to raise money for the cause. The funds ensure that the families of St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food. Along the trail, cancer patients stood on the sidelines giving high fives to the runners, cheering them on and handing out bottles of water.
Many of the Boiling Springs group ran the 5K. “The kids looked so happy to see us running for them. It was so uplifting,” said Moreno. Freshman Jake Walker pushed Heaven in a wheelchair the whole way on the 5K course. Heaven’s mom Jamey ran the half marathon race which was a total of 13.1 miles long. Before the end of the course, she met Heaven and pushed her to the finish line. Dale and Dombroski also ran the half marathon. “We did not train for the event, so we were very tired and sore afterward,” said Dombroski. “In the end, it was all worth it.”
Overall, $7.5 million was raised for St. Jude’s Research Hospital. This amazing weekend helped cancer patients and their families dramatically. “I am so glad I had the opportunity to go,” said Dombroski.