13-Year-Old and 52-Year-Old Top Finishers in Christmas Without Cancer 5K

Photos: Christmas Without Cancer founder and president, Gerri Neylon, runners and walkers turn at the cancer response network’s first 5K run and walk in Evergreen Park on Saturday. Mayor Jim Sexon cuts the ceremonial ribbon (photo by Greg Gromek).

Christmas Without Cancer’s inaugural 5K run/walk in Evergreen Park drew nearly 300 runners Saturday successfully launching the “season of giving” to benefit families faced with cancer challenges this coming holiday season.

The men’s first place finisher was 13-year-old Luke Warda, of Beverly, clocking in at 21:55. The women’s first place finisher was 52-year-old Dottie Kilian, of Villa Park, finished at 25:05.

Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton cut the symbolic ribbon that opened the race.

“People are hurting because of this vicious monster cancer,” said Sexton, the event’s honorary chair. “Christmas Without Cancer raises money locally to help families locally and anything we can do to facilitate and support that effort in Evergreen Park, we’ll do. People feel good knowing donations are helping right here at home.”

Evergreen Park resident Gerri Neylon, an RN in the radiation oncology department at Advocate Christ Medical Center, called Sexton the group’s “guarding angel” while thanking him and the village for hosting the event at Klein Park in Evergreen Park.

Neylon began the Christmas Without Cancer venture 13 years ago, when she saw the financial and emotional burden that cancer inflicts on families. The organization endeavors to provide families affected by cancer with gifts, gift cards and monies for basic necessities.

“Christmas Without Cancer has gained a significant amount of notoriety which has resulted in us recognizing more need right here in our neighborhoods,” Neylon said, president and founder of the organization. “So our challenge has been to keep up so we can manage the expectation of those we want to give.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit Christmas Without Cancer.