Christmas Without Cancer 5K Honors Local Cancer Survivors

CHICAGO – The tenth annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk will honor five local cancer survivors when it steps off this Saturday, Sept. 21 at (Klein (Circle Park) in Evergreen Park. The five honorees include Thomas Bishop, of Oak Lawn; Patric Juarez, of Evergreen Park; Candice Dodson of Oak Lawn; and Tabitha Duncan and Paul Reynolds, both of Beverly-Mt. Greenwood.

Thomas Bishop is a 4-year-old boy who loves life and enjoys embarking on new and exciting adventures. He was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor just as he was getting ready to age out of close observation at the Keyser Center. Bishop has done several rounds of chemotherapy, underwent a nine-hour surgery, and then received radiation and more chemotherapy. Bishop is a true warrior, came out of everything victorious, and is now cancer free.

Patric Juarez, 11, was diagnosed on Aug. 12 with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue. He immediately began treatment and is currently scheduled to have outpatient chemotherapy weekly, and inpatient chemotherapy treatment every 21 days. Patric will also go through several rounds of radiation. A true athlete, Juarez plays baseball for the Evergreen Park Baseball Club, and is a student in sixth grade at Most Holy Redeemer School, where he also plays football and basketball. Prior to his diagnosis, Juarez had the opportunity to play in a tournament in Iowa at the Field of Dreams, which was a highlight of his summer. Due to his recent diagnosis, Juarez will take a break from sports for treatment, but plans to be back better and stronger than ever.

Candice Dodson, 33, of Evergreen Park, is a loving and dedicated mother of four beautiful children, an amazing wife, sister, and friend and devoted suburban police officer. Shortly after her wedding, Dodson was diagnosed with Stage 2 brain cancer, causing fear and uncertainty for the next chapter of her life. She completed two months of radiation and six months of chemotherapy. She has recently returned to the job she loves.

Tabitha Duncan, 44, of Beverly-Mt/ Greenwood, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in July of 2023. Duncan completed six rounds of chemotherapy and had a successful lumpectomy in January. Immediately following, she completed an additional 21 rounds of radiation, and is currently in the process of completing Herceptin infusions. She is expected to be done with treatment in October.

Paul Reynolds, 45, also of Beverly-Mt. Greenwood, was diagnosed with Grade 4 Astrocytoma in July. Unfortunately, he received the devastating news that it was inoperable and that the only thing that could be done was to start him on an intensive treatment to help slow the growth. Reynolds began daily radiation and chemotherapy, followed by six months of maintenance treatment. Throughout treatment, Reynolds continued to coach his son’s school soccer team, which he has done for the last seven years. Currently, the tumors are stable, and he is in the surveillance stage.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk is the most important fundraiser of the year for the grassroots organization. The 2023 edition raised over $100,000 with over 1,000 participants walking or running for an incredible cause. This year, the organization hopes to exceed those numbers.

Online registration is closed but race day registration will be open from 7 to 8:30 a.m. this Saturday at Klein (Circle Park). Individual registration is $40. Day-of-race registration T-shirts will be on a first come, first served basis. T-shirts will be on a first come, first served basis. Registered participants will receive a medal and option for chip timing for those who choose to run the course.