Fifth-Grader's Logo Promotes Cumming Race For A Cure

CUMMING, GA -- A Forsyth County fifth grader has created the winning logo design for a race aimed at stamping out childhood cancer.

The design by Lindleigh Cole, a student at Vickery Creek Elementary School, was selected from among 75 entries to become the logo for the 2016 Will to Win 5K/1K.

The race is set for Saturday, at Fowler Park in Cumming. On Wednesday, runners can pick up their numbers, and newly interested ones can sign up during a special event at Cheeky Forsyth from 5-10 p.m.

What's so special about the event is that it will double as an 8th birthday party celebration for the Will to Win race's namesake, Will Abernathy.

Will, who was diagnosed with with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma at the age of 2 1/2, passed away at 5 years old, after developing AML, a secondary cancer.

On what would have been his birthday, Cheeky will be decorated in one of his favorite themes -- "Star Wars." Raffles will be held for items including autographed memorabilia from Braves Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and the Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman.

Cheeky Forsyth will be donating 20% of all food proceeds that evening to the Will Abernathy Memorial Fund.

"Will to Win 5K/1K is an important annual event and we are so grateful to the community and Cheeky Restaurants for their support," said Kristin Connor, executive director of Atlanta-based CURE Childhood Cancer. "Having the 2016 T-shirt logo designed by a young student and chosen by Will's mother is a loving tribute to Will Abernathy who would have been 8 years old this month. We look forward to a wonderful 'birthday party' on Wednesday and a successful run on Saturday to further awareness and research to find a cure for pediatric cancer in our lifetime."

Will's mother, Melody Abernathy, called Lindleigh's design "perfect"' for an event on would have been her son's birthday. It depicts a birthday cake with eight candles and the flames on the candles are gold ribbons -- the Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer ribbon color.

It incorporates the quote "Will you wish for a cure?"

"I asked for the 2016 Will to Win 5K/1K T-shirt design to be birthday themed, since the run is 3 days after what would have been Will's 8th birthday ...," Abernathy said. "I thought that Lindleigh's design creatively reflected this year's run."