In its 10th year, Naperville 5K focuses on high school students' health
It's been more than 10 years since Kathryn Bender collapsed and died before a high school dance recital from cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart rhythm disorder called Long QT Syndrome.
So it wasn't surprising some of the participants in the 5K walk and run held in her honor Saturday at Naperville North High School didn't necessarily know the 17-year-old when she was an active and seemingly healthy student at the school.
But even if they never met Kathryn, the runners and walkers knew about her from word-of-mouth, her sister, Elizabeth Bender, said in the days leading up to the 10th annual Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation 5K.
And they knew about the charity the Bender family created in the wake of Kathryn's death to raise money to buy electrocardiogram machines used to conduct screenings for heart ailments. Kathryn's older brother Nick said,"Everyone being here and being active keeps her spirt alive."
In each year since it was formed, the foundation has bought at least one ECG machine for between $8,000 and $16,000. Those machines are used to test the hearts of high school students in the Naperville area.
The foundation sponsors the run each fall and a dance showcase each spring and Elizabeth Bender says participation increases every year.
For information about the foundation and the work it does, visit kdmf.net.