Organizers seek 62 runners to help raise $62,000

 

By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

 

Area runners are being sought to participate in the fourth annual St. Jude Quincy to Peoria Run, which raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and its Midwest Affiliate in Peoria.

 

"In its first three years, the St. Jude Quincy to Peoria Run has had devoted and energetic runners who have made a real difference in the lives of children who have been diagnosed with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses," said Rick Meehan, run coordinator. "The run has grown each year and we hope to recruit more runners and raise more dollars this year."

This year's goal is to recruit 62 runners and raise $62,000 -- in recognition of the founding of St. Jude in 1962.

 

Jim Mentesti, president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, is serving as honorary chairman for this year's fundraiser.

 

"For many, many years, Jim has done whatever he can through GREDF and through participation in other community endeavors to make Quincy a better place to live," Meehan said. "That's why I'm honored to have Jim serve as honorary chairman for the St. Jude Run. His ability to bring everyone together for a common goal, plus his compassion for others, will be a huge benefit as we strive to help St. Jude find better treatments and cures for childhood diseases."

 

Mentesti says the decision to become involved with the St. Jude Run was an easy one.

St. Jude, founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude fully pays for lodging, food and travel for patients and their families.

 

In addition, Mentesti says, St. Jude is a world-renowned research hospital and freely shares its research with health-care facilities around the world, including Children's Hospital in St. Louis, where many local children are treated.

 

Among them is Ethan Weiman, a 3-year-old boy from Ursa who has been battling neuroblastoma for more than eight months.

 

Mentesti doesn't know Ethan, but he knows his grandfather, Dick Klusmeyer, who sits on the GREDF Board. Mentesti keeps tabs on Ethan through the boy's page on the Caring Bridge Web site, which has received more than 50,000 hits.

 

"This is something that hits close to home," Mentesti said, adding that the research that has been done at St. Jude has greatly improved survival rates of childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma, which gives hope to many children like Ethan.

 

-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391

 

About the Run

 

The St. Jude runners will begin their journey on Friday, Aug. 1, and run relay-style for 135 miles until they reach Peoria on Saturday, Aug. 2. Upon arrival, they will join runners from 17 other running groups to help kick off the 2008 St. Jude Telethon at the Civic Center.

The Quincy run has raised $89,547 in three years, with a record $50,200 raised in 2007. This year's goal is to raise $62,000.

 

Each runner is asked to raise $500. Corporate sponsors ensure that all money raised by a St. Jude runner goes directly toward research and the treatment of children.

 

TO GET INVOLVED

 

Call Rick Meehan, run coordinator, at (217) 224-7639, e-mail him at rkmeehan@hotmail.com or go to www.quincystjuderun.org.