5th Annual Race For Grace – Saturday, March 31 Event to support Reflections Of Grace Foundation in fight against pediatric brain cancer
NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA. (March, 2012) — The Reflections Of Grace Foundation (www.reflectionsofgrace.org) will hold its 5th Annual Race For Grace this Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Norwin High School in North Huntingdon, PA.
With over 1,500 runners and walkers already registered, this year’s race is expected to exceed last year’s attendance and fundraising totals. Race registration will be from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and the Race will begin at 9:00 am. The Race is just part of the day’s fundraiser to benefit the Reflections Of Grace Foundation in its efforts to support families with children suffering from brain cancer.
The Race For Grace is the largest fundraiser for the Reflections Of Grace Foundation. Now entering its 5th year, the Race For Grace has raised over $237,000, with last year’s event attracting 2,400 people. Because of this event and other fundraising efforts, the Reflections Of Grace Foundation has been able to give $100,000 across 25 states directly to 70 families of children fighting brain cancer. In addition, $65,000 has been donated towards research grants to find a cure and to raise awareness for pediatric brain cancers.
On February 14, 2008, Grace Ekis passed away at the age of 5 of a non-curable form of pediatric brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Just 13 months earlier Grace’s parents, Brian and Tamara, were given the shocking news of her illness. They endured a long and heartbreaking journey of finding the best treatments for Grace to prolong her life, while attempting to lead as normal a life as possible with Grace and their two older sons, Colin and Garrett.
“The Reflections Of Grace Foundation has allowed us to channel our heartbreak and loss into a way to support other families financially and emotionally who are going through a similar devastating journey,” said Grace’s mother, Tamara Ekis. “The money we have been able to raise and the number of families we have been able to help has been overwhelming. It doesn’t take away the loss of Grace, but it does provide us comfort in knowing that we are helping families in their fight against childhood cancer.”
Brian and Tamara found support from family, friends and the community throughout Grace’s fight and after her passing which inspired them to establish the Reflections Of Grace Foundation her memory. One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to support families emotionally and financially who are experiencing the same hardship of caring for a child battling brain cancer. The Foundation also funds critical research that is needed to help find better treatment options for DIPG patients.
Race For Grace participants may choose to run or walk the 5K or walk the 1-mile course. The 5K run will be timed using state-of-the-art, disposable D-tag chip technology. The day’s events are scheduled to conclude around 1:00 pm following an awards ceremony. Mike Clark, WTAE-TV News anchor, will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Fun activities for children and families include entertainment, charitable hair donations, and Chinese and silent auctions. An awareness booth will provide information about this devastating disease.
To learn more about the Race For Grace or to register online, visit www.reflectionsofgrace.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reflectionsofgrace, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ReflectsOfGrace.