Jacobs students raising funds in memory of former classmate

Before being diagnosed with sarcoma cancer at 14, Leah Guthrie's wish was to see Paris and learn to speak French.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish Illinois, Leah's dream came true. She got to spend eight days with her family in Paris, have dinner at the Eiffel Tower, visit the "love locks" at the Pont des Arts bridge - before they were taken down last year - and have a Montmartre street artist sketch her portrait.

"That was our last family vacation together," said her mother Marie Guthrie, 55, of Algonquin. "I will always remember the smile on her face (having dinner at the Eiffel Tower). The sun was setting and all the lights were coming on in Paris. It was a very moving experience. Leah's wish trip for Paris was an amazing light in our dark circumstance."

Leah died of complications from her cancer in February 2014.

In her memory, the Guthries and Leah's classmates from Jacobs High School in Algonquin are raising funds for the second year through Team Leah's Wish. The team will participate in the 13th annual Family Fun Walk and 5K Run for Wishes Sunday at Busse Woods Grove 5, southwest corner of Higgins and Arlington Heights roads in Elk Grove Village.

"It really was a priceless memory for us and because of that I am very motivated to help Make-A-Wish, and honor Leah by helping give another child a wish," Guthrie said.

So far, the roughly 40-member team has raised about $6,000 of its $8,500 goal.

Team captain Guthrie said Jacobs students raised nearly $1,400 through fundraisers during lunch period at the school last week - a huge bump from the $400 students raised last year.

"I'm so amazed at how generous the Jacobs students were," Guthrie said. "It was very emotional and moving for me. We'd love to send another child to Paris, but it will depend on what we raise."

Make-A-Wish Illinois' mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since being founded in 1985, the chapter has granted more than 13,000 wishes. Walk for Wishes donors have raised roughly $108,000 of this year's $125,000 goal.

More than 1,000 supporters, wish families and community members are expected to participate in the costumed family walk and 5K run Sunday. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes of their favorite characters and superheroes and prizes will be awarded for best costume, top fundraisers (individual and team) and race winners.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9:30 a.m. Activities including face painting, balloon animals, inflatable slides, and musical entertainment. For information, visit illinois.wish.org.