5K benefit to honor Cal, others with leukemia
Tom Sutter isn't quite sure what to expect on race day this Saturday.
He's never run a 5K before and has only trained for a couple of weeks. But that's not stopping him - not when running can help other children battling leukemia.
"The pain I'll go through is nothing like these kids go through all the time," said Sutter.
Sutter speaks from experience. His own son, Cal, battled leukemia for a year before succumbing to it in 2006 at the age of 13.
The run Saturday is a first for Cal's All-Star Angel Foundation, a group Sutter and his wife started after their son's death. It also will be the first time eight Fox Valley area families will come together to honor the children in their lives who are battling leukemia and remember those who have died from the disease.
"It makes it special because all the families have heard of each other but may not have met each other," said Taksina Davis, who is coordinating the run for the foundation. "They finally will meet."
Race volunteer Michele Weber and her husband, Brett, will be among the families recognized Saturday. Their son, Brett Jr., recently was diagnosed with leukemia and is currently in the hospital battling its effects. A couple of weeks ago neighbors from the Thornwood subdivision in South Elgin and some of Brett Jr.'s friends, including many from Haines Middle School in St. Charles where he is a student, showed their support by going to the Weber home to have their heads shaved.
"The community is rallying and supporting all the families," said Davis, who, like Sutter, also lives in the Thornwood subdivision.
So far, more than 200 people have signed up for Saturday's race, which includes seven different runs or walks - each named after a child being honored. In addition to a 5K run and a two-mile walk, the event includes various "fun runs" such as the 50-yard dash or half-mile run for children. All of the runs will be at the Sports Core of Thornwood subdivision, which is located at 850 Thornwood Drive in South Elgin.
Money raised from the runs will be used by the foundation to grant financial assistance to families and to make "wishes" come true for children battling leukemia. Since its formation in 2007, the foundation has raised $200,000 and has helped families with everything from paying utilities and monthly mortgages to sending a young girl to Seaworld.
For the Sutter family, helping others is therapeutic.
"To us, it's a way of actually grieving - just being able to help other families," Sutter said.
"We're doing it in honor of Cal," he added. "That's the kind of kid he was. He was one of those kids who always cared about other people and always wanted to help other people."
Sutter said eventually he hopes the foundation, named after Cal's youth baseball team, will be able to help families with children battling any form of cancer. The foundation recently hired an executive director to help with fundraising efforts and promoting the organization.
"Our ultimate goal is to take care of every child with every form of cancer," he said.
For additional information on the foundation or the race visit calsangels.org.
Cal Sutter's All-Star Angels Foundation 5K Run
Where: The Sports Core of Thornwood Subdivision, 850 Thornwood Drive in South Elgin
When: 9 a.m. Saturday
What: An unsanctioned 5K run and other events to benefit the foundation, which helps families with children battling leukemia. Other events include a 2-mile walk and various "fun runs" for children including a one-mile run, half-mile run, 100-yard dash, 50-yard dash and 26.2-yard dash.
Fees: The 5K run and 2 mile walk require a $20 registration fee, which is waived if the participant raises at least $100 in pledges. A $10 registration fee is required for all other events, except the 26.2 yard dash, unless the participant raises at least $25 in pledges. The 26.2 yard dash is free to children under 3 years of age.
To register or sponsor a runner: Go to calsangels.org or call (847) 960-5317.