But a running event in August - the Quincy to Peoria Run - will be particularly meaningful for Spencer because it raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Spencer, a son of Bill and Nancy Waters of Liberty, knows all about St. Jude.

As a 2-year-old, he was treated at the hospital in Memphis, Tenn., as well as its Midwest Affiliate in Peoria.

"They saved his life," Nancy Waters said.

He barely remembers being ill, but he has high praise for St. Jude, where he continues to be part of the hospital's research.

"They always try to calm me down," said Spencer, who still goes to Peoria for annual checkups. "There's a person that checks you in, Darlene, she's my best friend on the staff."

St. Jude, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962, is the largest childhood cancer research center in the United States in terms of the number of patients enrolled in research protocols and successfully treated.

On average, about 4,700 patients are on active status at St. Jude at any given time. The Midwest Affiliate opened in 1972, with about 70 patients from central Illinois currently receiving treatment.

Since its inception, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to about 70 percent overall.

Families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. The cost of lodging, meals and transportation for the patient and one parent also is covered.

"There's nothing out of your pocket," Nancy Waters said. "That takes the financial worries away so you can focus totally on your child."

Spencer was treated at St. Jude for bilateral Wilms tumor, which affects the kidneys.

Dr. Richard Noble of Quincy Medical Group discovered a mass during a well baby check and sent Spencer to St. Jude. He received chemotherapy before having his right kidney removed and a piece of his left kidney removed. He also received radiation treatments.

"Every Tuesday we went to Peoria and we flew down to Memphis once a month for about nine months," Nancy Waters said. "From the time we went to Peoria, they assigned us a social worker. At St. Jude, they treat the whole family, and that helped us to facilitate his good health."

Spencer says he doesn't remember much about his initial treatment 10 years ago, but he recalls one time when he had to get a computerized tomography (CT) scan.

"I didn't want to be stuck with a needle (for anesthesia), so they put the Lion King on over the speakers and I laid quite still," he said, adding that doctors and staff always make him feel "unafraid."

After his initial treatment, Spencer had to go back every three months for a year and then every six months for a year. At age 5, he was declared cancer free.

"We will continue to go back every year until he is 18," Nancy Waters said.

"Every five years, he has an echocardiogram because with one medicine he takes, they're looking for the long-term effect on his heart."

When Spencer goes for his annual checks, he meets a lot of other kids who are going through treatment.

"I make friends every time I go down there, even though I never see them again," he said. "I hope they get better."

St. Jude's daily operating costs are a little over $1 million, which are primarily covered by public contributions.

That's why fundraisers such as the Quincy to Peoria Run - which is part of the larger Memphis to Peoria Run - are so important.

Spencer, now 14 years old and in 9th Grade, plans to participate in the run, which begins at noon Aug. 3rd in the Bergner's parking lot, and hopes to run with his brothers, Forrest, 20, and Brian, 17.

"We're trying to make it a family affair," Nancy Waters said. "I'm the cheerleader."