Fox Lake 5K race benefits breast cancer research

This weekend marks the 10th annual Fox Lake Mayor's Challenge 5K Race/Walk. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Nancy Rogers tells us what you need to know.

Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?

A. This is our 10th year for the race. It grows in participants every year.

Q. What charity does this benefit? Who are the sponsors, or big donors who make the event possible?

A. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Village of Fox Lake is the sponsor but we have our local businesses donate food and prizes for raffle items. Participants raise pledges and the highest pledge collected by one person was $5,000. Pledges are made in memory and honor of victims of breast cancer. The Village of Fox Lake had sent over $100,000 to the foundation in the last 10 years.

Q. Why is the charity important to you? Is there a specific person who inspires you?

A. This is very important to me as I am a survivor of breast cancer. This is also my 10th anniversary. I was asked by Cindy Irwin, trustee at the time, to be a spokeswoman for the first Village of Fox Lake Mayor's Challenge in 1999, which also included survivor Melissa Irwin Mazur and the late Joe Solis, who lost his daughter to breast cancer. I was undergoing treatment at the time of the first race. Everyone in my immediate family and my friends came out and walked the race in my honor. It was such an emotional experience. There was not a specific person that inspired me but I remember at the first race in 1999 how many local residents came out for the race that where survivors or lost a loved one to this disease. I remember thinking that how well I knew these people and didn't know that they had also suffered this deadly disease. It seemed to be handled very quietly 10 years ago. There were a lot of hugs and support for these residents. And they are back every year working hard for this cause.

Q. Is there a fundraising goal?

A. In today's economy it is hard to put a goal. Every donation is important and everyone does their best to raise funds.

Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?

A. Besides the spaghetti dinner Friday night, Whistle Stop Cafe donates juice, muffins and fresh fruit the morning of the race for everyone.

Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.

A. The majority of the volunteers are the employees of the village. They donate their time in setting up, collecting pledges and registration. Laura Rudkin and Tina Williams at the village hall lost their mother and aunt to breast cancer, so they put up an Angel Tree in the village hall entrance where you can hang your loved ones' names on the tree. Receptionist Lesley Wood works very hard organizing and keeping track of registrations and sponsor sign purchases. Former employee Ruth Michniewicz, who went through breast cancer treatment this past year, is assisting me in raising funds for the sponsor signs. The street department and firefighters donate their time making and serving the spaghetti dinner. Residents, village officials, both current and past, and local businesses all come together for this event. American Fitness Center provides a warmup at 7:30 a.m. I wish I had room to name them all as they are so important and do so much to make this event successful. I am so very thankful for everyone for their help and also their support to myself and everyone that is afflicted with any form of cancer.