The entire family is invited to lace up their shoes and help raise funds for children fighting brain tumors at the 12th Annual Annie Ryan Run to be held Sunday, May 15 in Elmhurst. In addition to the 5K race, a special 'Kids Running For Kids' one-mile course also will be on the agenda for this annual event to benefit the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center (MCBTC) of Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital.
Brain tumors are the most common of solid tumors in children and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under the age of 20. Participants in the run have the opportunity to play an important role in helping the MCBTC continue its pioneering efforts to combat pediatric brain tumors through the latest medical treatments, state-of-the-art technology and supportive family services.
The Annie Ryan Run offers activities for the whole family, including face painting, raffle prizes and ice cream. Pre-registration events will take place on Saturday, May 7 at Knights of Columbus, 537 S. York Street, from noon to 4 p.m. and Monday through Friday, May 9 to May 13 at The Runner's Soul Athletics, 124 N. York Street, during normal business hours.
Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The 5K/3.1 mile run will begin at York Road and South Street and proceed along a course that includes a portion of the Illinois Prairie Path. The race begins promptly at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $25 for pre-registered participants or $30 on race day.
The 'Kids Running for Kids' one-mile dash is for children in grades 1 through 8. It will begin at 9:45 a.m. at York Road and South Street. The registration fee is $12. Check-in for both races will take place from 7 to 8:45 a.m. at the registration tent.
Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The run was established by the family of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and his wife Marie in honor of their daughter, Annie Marie Ryan, who passed away at the age of 12 from a brain tumor. Jim Ryan was a former chair of the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center's resource council. The Annie Ryan Run has raised more than $500,000 to date. Funds raised from this year's run will be directed toward the MCBTC's Family Support Program, which offers support sessions, meal passes, temporary housing and parking tokens for families of children undergoing treatment as well as outings to sporting events and other local attractions. For more information on the run call (847) 723.5183 or go to www.annierun.com to register online.
The MCBTC of Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital is one of the few centers in the nation providing a full range of neurological services, clinical expertise, and cutting-edge technology to care for children with brain tumors. Children are treated by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who provide expert care along with essential support to young patients and their families.
Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive children's hospitals in Illinois, treating more than 3,500 inpatients and 100,000 outpatients annually. It is the only children's hospital in the greater north and northwest suburban region of Chicago, and is a major regional referral center for a broad range of infant and pediatric services, especially for those with complex illnesses and chronic conditions.
