Orland Park Man To Be Honoree At Christmas Without Cancer 5K

ORLAND PARK — An Orland Park cancer survivor, who endured grueling treatment and financial hardship, will be one of the honorees at the seventh annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk on Sept. 18 at Circle Park, 9719 S. Homan Ave., Evergreen Park. Ryan Colby is now giving back to other families and patients.

Colby, 21, was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 14 while in his freshman year at Sandburg High School. Colby struggled with his cancer for over four years, enduring more than 50 rounds of chemo, 30 days of radiation, a nicked artery, nicked vocal cords, septic shock, intensive physical therapy, stem cell transplant, multiple hospital stays and facilities. Despite all of this, Colby graduated with his senior high school class. He is currently in remission and attending Illinois State University, where he is majoring in Cyber-Security. Christmas Without Cancer helped the Colby family through the years with holiday gifts, travel expenses for cancer treatments in Texas, and gift cards. He currently helps other people who are going through similar situations and treatments.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk is the most important and largest fundraiser of the year for the organization. The event was virtual for the first time in its history in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019 event was the largest in the organization’s history, with nearly 800 people participating.

Registration is now open through Sept. 13 by visiting Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk. 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. 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.)

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 Aug. 31 to guarantee a race T-shirt.

Since 2003, Christmas Without Cancer has aided thousands of people across the Chicago area by providing holiday gifts, as well as basic necessities to local families that are stricken with cancer. Founded in 2003 by oncology nurse Gerri Neylon, 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 and travel related expenses for treatment.

The other honorees are Don Grenda, of Alsip, and Nicole Houlihan, of Evergreen Park.

For sponsorship opportunities, please email christmaswithoutcancer@gmail.com.

For more information on the Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk, please visit www.christmaswithoutcancer.org.