Charlotte Prepares for the St. Jude Walk/Run This Sunday
Charlotte is buzzing with excitement as the city gears up for the much-anticipated St. Jude Walk/Run this Sunday at First Ward Park in Uptown Charlotte. This event is a wonderful opportunity for community members to come together and support a great cause—raising funds for children battling cancer and their families.
A Heartwarming Story of Hope
This year’s event takes on an even more personal note thanks to the inspiring story of a young survivor named Park. Park is a brave six-year-old who recently won a hard-fought battle against cancer. Just two years ago, his family received the life-altering news that no parent wants to hear: he was diagnosed with ependymoma, a type of cancerous brain tumor.
His mother, Ruth, vividly recalls that devastating moment. “We had an MRI done that showed us that he had a cancerous brain tumor called ependymoma,” she shared, recalling the fear and uncertainty that swept over their family. In their time of need, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for help, and what followed was a journey filled with courage and resilience.
The Power of St. Jude
Park underwent multiple treatments at St. Jude, including a crucial brain surgery that successfully removed a portion of the tumor. Despite the challenges they faced, Ruth expressed immense gratitude toward the dedicated staff at St. Jude. “They found a little bit more tumor, so they had to go in and do another brain surgery to take out the cancerous tumor,” she reported, noting the swift actions of the hospital as a critical factor in Park’s recovery.
After his surgery, Park bravely completed six rounds of radiation, which ultimately eradicated the remaining cancer. Today, he is thriving, and his family credits St. Jude for their continued support throughout the entire process. “The hospital is still there by our side,” Ruth shared. “We travel for check-ups, and St. Jude covers all of those travel costs and our accommodations when we’re up there for all the check-ups.” For Ruth, knowing that medical care is available without the worry of financial burdens has brought her family an incredible sense of peace. “It’s such a peace to know we have eyes on him every few months,” she added, emphasizing the importance of ongoing care in ensuring Park remains cancer-free.
A Community Rallying Together
The upcoming walk/run is not only about coming together for exercise but also about showing support for kids like Park. With every step taken, participants will raise money to aid families fighting similar battles. Amanda Bagwell, an advisor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, explained the impact of donations from the event. “All the money raised Sunday and the rest of this year is going to make sure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so that they can focus on their child living their best lives,” she emphasized.
Ruth feels strongly about the community’s involvement in the event. She encourages everyone to contribute, despite the size of their donations. “That’s what this walk/run is all about,” she stated passionately, “Not the big donations but $1 donations, $5. They all make a difference.”
A Journey of Resilience
Originally scheduled for September, the St. Jude Walk/Run was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. Now, with the weather looking favorable, excitement is in the air as participants prepare to lace up their shoes in solidarity this weekend.
As Charlotteans gather at First Ward Park to show their support, it’s a beautiful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community. Everyone is welcome to join in this heartwarming event, create memories, and, most importantly, help children like Park lead healthier and happier lives.
