Registration Open For 2024 Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – The tenth annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 9 a.m. at Circle/Klein Park, 97th Street and Homan Avenue. The 2024 edition will honor local cancer warriors who are currently battling or in remission from various forms of this life-changing disease.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K is one of the largest races in the city, and the most important fundraiser of the year for the organization, with more than 1,100 participants anticipated to raise funds for people and families who are battling cancer.

The 2023 Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk raised over $100,000 with over 1,000 participants walking or running for an incredible cause. This year, the organization is shooting for $125,000.

Registration is now available by visiting Christmas Without Cancer 5K. 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 August 28, to guarantee a race T-shirt. Online registration will close Wednesday, Sept. 11 at noon.

Individual registration is $40. 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.) In-person registration will also be available at the Hamilton B. Maher Community Center, 3450 West 97th St., Evergreen Park, Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 3 to 7 p.m,; Thursday, Sept. 19 from 3 to 5 p.m., and race day, starting at 7 a.m. A virtual race option is also available.

Supporters who form teams that raise over $250 will be given custom Christmas Without Cancer socks. Those that raise $500 or more will be given custom socks and a sling bag. Visa gift cards, ranging in price from $250-$500 will be awarded to the top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, and new this year, to the largest team of registered participants.

The run/walk will be split into age groups, beginning at ages 1 through 9, and above. The top male and female in each age range will be awarded a trophy.

“Our annual 5K Run/Walk is the most important fundraiser of the year for our organization, as it helps us to provide year-round financial support to our families who are most in need,” said Renee Copeland, president of Christmas Without Cancer. “At this time, our organization is flooded with application requests. To date in 2024, we have already helped over 500 families, which is the most we have ever helped in a single year. We hope everyone will come out and help – whether it is through walking, running, volunteering or sponsoring this enormously important event.”

The grassroots organization anticipates that it will be close to aiding 1,000 families with mortgage payments, tuition costs, daycare, medical expenses, etc., by the time the Christmas season arrives. This event brings Christmas to the area in September with a fun day filled with holiday music, people dressing in costumes, ugly sweaters, and more. And most importantly, it gives CWC the opportunity to honor some of the most amazing cancer warriors who are going through an incredibly difficult time.

The event is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors. For more information, please email christmaswithoutcancer@gmail.com.

Since 2003, Christmas Without Cancer has aided thousands of adults, children and their families across the Chicago area by providing holiday gifts, as well as basic life 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 helping with mortgage payments, rent, tuition, daycare, and travel-related expenses for treatment.

For more information visit Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk.