Anthony's Avengers, Christmas Without Cancer Walk 5K Hand in Hand

Sunday Katie Gaskin will be joined by her family and friends at the Mount Greenwood Elementary School entrance at 108th and Homan at 11 a.m. to begin an unusual 5K Walk/Run to support Christmas Without Cancer, which will, in turn, use the monies raised to help local families.

Gaskin will enjoy great comfort in the splendor of her own community, lifted by those who know her best and new friends she's come to know through Christmas Without Cancer.

The mother, wife and teacher endured the horror of losing a child in March of 2017. Her son Anthony lost his battled with a rare brain cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

From the time her son was diagnosed, Christmas Without Cancer founder Gerri Neylon was at her side, on the phone or just a call away.

On one glorious December morning Neylon was on her front lawn with Mount Greenwood fireman bearing gifts, the Mother McAuley a capella group in red capes singing Christmas songs and the many CWC volunteers presenting money orders and financial support for medical needs.

An exuberant Anthony soaked it all in that day from a window until Gaskin invited everyone inside. Anthony delighted in seeing Santa and was equally thrilled to see his two younger brothers receive pretty-papered gift boxes.

“It’s good to have these happy memories,” said Gaskin. “Anthony cut the ribbon once at the Christmas Without Cancer 5K and he threw out the first pitch twice at the Thunderbolts game.”

Christmas Without Cancer proved the perfect complement to Anthony’s Avengers, a force in the powerful Mount Greenwood neighborhood that routinely turns their empathy in response and action.

Fittingly, Anthony’s Avengers will participate in this year’s 6th Annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K close to home. The planned gathering in Evergreen Park's Circle Park would draw too many participants during this COVID pandemic, so, like many groups, they've splintered off to run or walk different locations around the South Side and South suburbs.

Only a virtual “on your honor” approach will carry the day this year for all teams and individuals participating with the hopes of reaching 1,000 participants.

Letz Box Chicago boxers of all ages and weight classes will join Anthony’s Avengers, as well as Mount Greenwood Elementary School and its members, and other organizations that lifted Gaskin through the worst of times.

Gaskin is only a short bike ride to Letz Box Chicago, where her sons are under the spell of Dan Letz, who begins his teaching sessions with old-fashioned calisthenics, including traditional jumping jacks. The outdoor workouts adhere to spacing needs and safety.

“I heard great things about Dan and Letz Box,” said Gaskin, who realized early the connection shared with Letz Box Chicago, which holds boxing fundraisers for Christmas Without Cancer.

Now Gaskin and Letz are on the same team ready to "pay it forward" for families facing financial challenges because of cancer. Several families who support Letz Box will be doing their roadwork Sunday.

“All of the teachers and administrators at Mount Greenwood Elementary School
were all so kind and supportive,” said Gaskin, whose sister-in-law Kelly is a
teacher at Mount Greenwood.

“I know we’ll be walking around the campus with every different color Anthony’s
Avengers shirts from all years and, of course, wearing the Christmas Without
Cancer shirts as well.

“It’s humbling that all these groups still keep in contact and still are there for us,”
said Gaskin.

Anthony’s Avengers had to postpone events twice this year so this home turf CWC 5K
fills a void.

“Bummer,” said Gaskin of the pandemics’ impact on their event. “But we have
people who have passion about this cause so I think they’ll sign up to walk with
us or on their honor.”

Walking close by Sunday will be her two boys, now regulars at Letz Box.

Gaskin softly, proudly says: “They will be a part of their brother’s legacy living on.”

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Christmas Without Cancer invites participation in the 6th Annual VIRTUAL 5K
Run/Walk Saturday, September 19, 2020 through Saturday, September 26, 2020
“on your honor.”

The walk or run will take place any day or time during that week.
Registration is available on the Run Signup page.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Spo...

or visit www.christmaswithoutcancer.org