Alsip Man To Be Honoree At Christmas Without Cancer 5K

ALSIP, IL —An Alsip cancer survivor, who endured grueling treatment and financial hardship, will be one of the honorees at the seventh annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk on Sept. 18 at Circle Park, 9719 S. Homan Ave., Evergreen Park. Don Grenda is now giving back to other families and patients.

Grenda, 44, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2020. After diagnosis, Christmas Without Cancer provided financial assistance and gift cards to help the Grenda family with groceries and medications. In November, a Christmas Without Cancer supporter provided a homemade catered Thanksgiving dinner to the family. Grenda received a stem-cell transplant in January, and experienced many setbacks, with Grenda ultimately spending much time in the hospital. A married father of two daughters, while Grenda was in a 90+day isolation, his father passed away from cancer. This holiday season, the Grendas and their extended family will be “adopting” cancer families and will be providing Thanksgiving meals to them.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk is the most important and largest fundraiser of the year for the organization. The event was virtual for the first time in its history in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019 event was the largest in the organization’s history, with nearly 800 people participating.

Registration is now open through Sept. 13 by visiting Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk. Individual registration is $30. Family registration, which includes a minimum of four family members and a maximum of six, is available for $120. Day-of registration will also be available for individuals for $35, and for families for $130. Day of race/on-site registration will be open from 7 to 8:30 am (Please note: Day of race registration T-shirts will be first come, first served basis. Supplies and sizes will be limited.)

Registered participants will receive a t-shirt, medal, with an option for chip timing available for those who choose to run the course. Runners and walkers must register BEFORE Aug. 31 to guarantee a race T-shirt.

Since 2003, Christmas Without Cancer has aided thousands of people across the Chicago area by providing holiday gifts, as well as basic necessities to local families that are stricken with cancer. Founded in 2003 by oncology nurse Gerri Neylon, the organization quietly identifies and adopts multiple families throughout the year and supplies them with gift cards for groceries, medications, gas, and other “need” items, as well as help with mortgage payments, rent, tuition and travel related expenses for treatment.

The other honorees are Ryan Colby, of Orland Park, and Nicole Houlihan, of Evergreen Park.

For sponsorship opportunities, please email christmaswithoutcancer@gmail.com.

For more information on the Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk, please visit www.christmaswithoutcancer.org.