Family, friends join Glenbard East alum in charity 5k run

Alex Pane ran every step of a 5K race held in his name Saturday outside of Glenbard East High School.

While that might not seem like a big deal to most runners, this time a year ago the Lombard man couldn't imagine taking a step, much less finishing a race in under a half-hour.

"Seeing all these people here really gives me a push to stay positive when sometimes I just want to give up," Pane said Saturday morning, shortly after finishing the race organized to help pay for a critical organ transplant he is awaiting.

Pane, 20, was born with an intestinal condition that renders him unable to digest food normally. He has endured 17 major surgeries and gets his nutrition intravenously.

His medical bills average $100,000 annually and he has used $1.4 million of the $2 million lifetime cap on his state insurance coverage, a program established for people who are unable to get private health insurance.

The intestinal transplant, expected as soon as an organ becomes available at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, will cost $600,000 or more.

Family and friends have spent the last two years working to raise $150,000 toward the cost. Already, more than $52,000 has been raised through various events, said Kristie Moses, a longtime family friend.

More than 150 runners competed Saturday along the 3.1-mile course near the high school campus. Race organizers hoped to raise $10,000.

The benefit was organized by fellow Glenbard East alum Scott Bruzek, 19, who first learned about Pane's story at the school.

"I just wanted to work on something bigger than myself," said Bruzek, who met Pane for the first time just a few days ago. "Alex is such a strong spirit. Just to see how he's fought to get to this point is so inspiring."

Through all of it, Pane has and remains as active as his body allows. He took advanced courses while attending Glenbard East High School in Lombard, where, as a junior, he played on the varsity volleyball squad that took third in state.

Friends and family - which includes Dad, Larry, Mom, Colleen, and brothers, Nicholas and Anthony - are rallying for him.

"We all offer what support we can," said Carrie Moore, Pane's aunt, who traveled from her Milwaukee home with a broken foot to support her nephew. "The help from the school and the surrounding community has been nothing short of fantastic."