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Guest Blog: Running to Peoria for St. Jude's
Posted August 09, 2007
Today's guest blog comes from Abena Patton, Manager of Special Events and Web Communications for the Downers Grove Campus. For several years, Abena has worked with the people from St. Jude's to host the kickoff to their Chicago-to-Peoria Run. Next year, she plans to participate as a runner. Here are her insights into this special campus event:
The blistering heat, the tiny shorts--and, oh, the 170 miles to Peoria are what I am most looking forward to for next year.
Yes, I am committing to another run. (Well, if I can get a team of 14 other runners to join me; any volunteers?)
This past Friday, August 3rd, Midwestern University's Downers Grove Campus hosted (for the ninth straight year) the kickoff for the 12th Annual St. Jude's CHicago Run to Peoria. There were over 150 runners giving up their personal time, 30 hours to be exact. It takes 30 hours to run from Downers Grove to Peoria! Oh my goodness! Can I do this?
I am sure each runner has asked themselves that very question. I tell myself, "They are running for the St. Jude kids." And, as if we are on the same page, one of the ringleaders of the rally, Scott Willis, says during the kickoff, "You are running for the children who can't run for themselves." Each of the runners has to raise a minimum of $1,000, which goes to support the children and families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year, the participants of the Chicago-to-Peoria Run raised over $235,000.
Soon I began pacing up and down the parking lot where the 15 teams had parked their RVs and thought to myself, "What kind of a difference will my participation bring to next year's run?" My team alone would bring in another $15,000. But it wasn't until I heard Susan Lyon, the mother of Amy Lyon, a St. Jude kid who recently turned 21, tell their story. She described how St. Jude's is still treating her daughter even though she is now 21 years old. And it was then, when I saw the look on Amy's face, that struck me: as her mother spoke you could just see the peace in her soul. I sensed a great appreciation from her. In the six years that I have been with MWU and witnessed the kickoff for the Run, she looked very happy. The runners are running for her and every other St. Jude kid who is looking forward to turning 21.
As a health care community and university, Midwestern University is proud to be a supporter of the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
