Christmas Without Cancer 5K Honors 27 Childhood Cancer Warriors

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Christmas spirit will get an early start at the eighth annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 17. Participants will spring from the blocks at 9 a.m., starting and ending at Circle/Klein Park, 97th Street and Homan Avenue, Evergreen Park.

This year’s 5K will honor 27 local childhood cancer warriors who are currently battling or have lost their battle to this awful disease. All children being honored are part of families that Christmas Without Cancer is currently or previously assisted financially.

Included in the honor roll are five children currently in treatment, 13 survivors and 9 angels, children who have passed away. All the children will be honored at the event with a custom-made wood sign with their name on it, which will be on display in the Circle Park field.

All the children will be honored at the event with a custom-made wood sign with their name on it, which will be on display in the Circle Park field.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk is one of the largest races in the city, and the most important fundraiser of the year for the organization, with over 1,000 participants taking part to raise funds for people and families who are battling cancer.

Last year, the 5K returned for its first year since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and was the largest to date with over 1,200 participants, raising over $70,000. This year, Christmas Without Cancer hopes to exceed those numbers, with the goal of raising $100,000.

Online registration is open through Sept. 7 by visiting Christmas Without Cancer 5K.
A virtual race option is also available. Walk-up registration will be available at packet pick-up on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 15, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hamilton B. Maher Community Center, 3540 West 97th St., Evergreen Park.

Day of race/on-site registration will be open from 7 to 8:30 a.m. (Please note: Day of race registration t-shirts will be first come, first served basis. Supplies and sizes will be limited.)

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.

Since 2003, Christmas Without Cancer has aided thousands of people across the Chicagoarea by providing holiday gifts, as well as necessities, to local families that are stricken with cancer. 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, daycare, and travel related expenses for treatment.

Visit Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk to register online or for more information.

Christmas Without Cancer 5K 2022 Honorees:

Jacob Abraham, Angel
Ella Dowling, Survivor
Georgianna Anderson, Survivor
Tinley Kimbrough, Survivor
Joy Arseneau, Warrior in treatment
Harper Kouns, Suvivor
Austin Barnett, Angel
Quinn Lisak, Survivor
Emily Beazley, Angel
Nick Miceli, Angel
Finley Bracken, Angel
Kassidy Moulesong, Survivor
Marty Brogan, Survivor
Lucas Nagel, Warrior in treatment
Brendan Burns, Warrior in treatment
Anthony Pappalas, Angel
Shane Callaghan, Angel
Julia Pratte, Angel
Whitney Davis, Survivor
Bryce Sykora, Survivor
Adam Deutsch, Survivor
Mya Tinajero, Angel
Charlie DeVries, Survivor
Autumn Vaughn, Survivor
Isla Dorsey, Warrior in treatment
Lukas Voelz, Survivor
Beau Dowling, Warrior in treatment