MUS fundraiser, Race to Remission, a success
About 500 supporters gathered at Memphis University School April 2 for the second Race to Remission 5K and festival to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Spearheaded by MUS seniors Grayson Lee and Daniel Tancredi, the fundraising effort has garnered about $60,000 this year to support the work of St. Jude.
The event was in honor of three teen cancer patients who have benefited from that life-saving work: Allie Allen, a junior at Houston High School; Adam Cruthirds, a senior at St. George’s; and Lin Zheng, a senior at MUS. Jawad Almaatouk, a senior at MUS who has been treated at St. Jude for sickle cell disease, was on hand to cheer on the racers.
Richard Shadyac, president and CEO of the hospital’s fundraising arm, ALSAC, kicked off the race before running the course through the campus and nearby neighborhood on a beautiful spring day.
“It’s because of races like this and amazing folks like you that no family will ever receive a bill from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — not for the cost of treatment, travel, housing, or food,” Shadyac said. “Know that you are providing tremendous inspiration to all the kids at St. Jude.”
At the awards presentation, Cruthirds spoke about seeing the race double in size from last year and anticipating growth in future years. “I just want to say thank you from all the St. Jude patients — that you believe child cancer can end, and this is something that will do it,” he said.
After the race participants enjoyed a festival with food trucks, live music, inflatable games, KnockerBall, and facepainting by Allie Allen.
It’s not too late to join in — contribute to the Race to Remission fundraising effort here: fundraising. stjude.org/racetoremission.
April 18 at Ridgeway Country Club, 9800 Poplar Ave., Germantown. 10:30 a.m. registration and lunch; noon start; 5 p.m. awards, door prizes, dinner. Benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) West Tennessee Chapter. 901-8616550.
9 a.m.noon April 23 at Church Health Center Wellness, 1115 Union Ave. Annual community walk and fundraiser. $15 (free to Church Health Center Wellness members and children 12 and under). 901-701-2151. walkingasone.org.
10 a.m. April 23 at Overton Park. racesonline.com/events/geroldblum-memorial5K or call 901-387-7847. Fee. $20.
April 25 at TPC Southwind, 3325 Club at Southwind. 12 p.m. tee-time, and dinner. Teams of four/$1,600, and individual/$400. Call 901323-3600 ext. 18 or email david.jordan@agapemeanslove.org. Online: agapemeanslove.org Open to the public.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, 1500 W. Poplar Ave.
10 a.m. Tuesday at MidSouth