Naperville 5K to fund heart screenings
Nearly 10 years after its namesake died of an undiagnosed heart condition, a Naperville nonprofit group is continuing to raise money for screenings to detect such disorders in others before they become deadly.
The Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation is sponsoring its 9th annual 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. Saturday around the track at Naperville North High School, 899 Mill St.
For $25, an individual runner or walker can sign up for the 3.1-mile event during registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Families can register for $80 no matter how many members would like to participate.
Elizabeth Bender, Kathryn's older sister, said the fun run - like the foundation - is all about paying it forward in Kathryn's memory.
Kathryn was 17 when she collapsed before a dance performance and died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest caused by a heart rhythm disorder called Long QT Syndrome.
"It will be 10 years this November that she's been gone," her sister said days before the next race in Kathryn's honor. "It still feels like yesterday."
Sadly, Kathryn's sister said, teens can be at risk for heart rhythm disorders even if they're otherwise in perfect health.
"It usually does happen to the kids that are more active and healthy," Bender said. "That's why we focus the majority of our screenings at high schools."
Shortly after Kathryn's death, the family of the Naperville North student connected with Young Hearts for Life, a nonprofit group established by cardiologist Dr. Joseph Marek to give free electrocardiograms at high schools to potentially detect undiagnosed heart ailments. More than 140,000 students have been screened since 2006.
"Most of what we do as far as making people knowledgeable is through Young Hearts for Life," Bender said.
Money raised at the 5K will go to Young Hearts for Life so the organization can buy more portable ECG screening machines, Bender said.
Some funds also will support two scholarships the Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation gives each year to high school seniors - one at Naperville North and another at Steps Dance Center in Aurora, where Kathryn danced and had begun to teach.
The weather gods have smiled on the first eight run/walks hosted in Kathryn's memory, her sister said, so organizers are hoping Saturday will be another pleasant morning to get moving and promote heart health.
"We wanted to do something where we can get people who are more active and want to support a cause and be healthy about it," Bender said.
"Ultimately, we're doing this for unknown heart conditions."
If You Go
What: 9th annual Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation Walk/Run
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Naperville North High School track, 899 Mill St.
Who: Sponsored by the Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation to benefit Young Hearts for Life
Cost: $25 for individuals or $80 for families
Info: kbmf.net