Schaumburg native's coast-to-coast run reaches home
As part of a relay team running across the United States to raise money and awareness for young adults with cancer, Kristin Decker experienced the thrill Wednesday of reaching her hometown of Schaumburg.
In fact, her eight-mile leg of the day's route ended at St. Peter Lutheran Church, where the person to whom she's dedicating her efforts — the late Rev. Matt Peterson — was youth pastor before his 2011 death at the age of 41.
“It's very emotional,” Decker said of the milestone in her journey from San Francisco to Baltimore. “It's hard because Matt's not here for this, but I know with all my supporters he'd be proud.”
And there certainly were supporters. They included her parents, Nancy and Jim; Peterson's parents, Lynne and Bruce, as well as one of his daughters, 17-year-old Elissa; members of the St. Peter congregation; and even some excited young members of the church's day care program.
Peterson's family has been particularly touched by Decker's gesture. She and several other members of the 28-person relay team wrote Matt's name on their legs for the day.
Lynne said that anyone who has lost a son or daughter knows the delight that comes with knowing they've not been forgotten by the rest of the world.
“It's touching for us that someone is honoring our child,” Lynne said.
Elissa, heading into her senior year at Schaumburg High School, also was touched by the tributes to her dad.
“It's incredible, honestly,” Elissa said. “It makes me feel so good that he was loved and honored by so many people. He was always so humorous and funny. He always had something to say to make light of the situation.”
The Petersons and the Deckers were always close but grew closer during the last years of Matt Peterson's life, when he made frequent, long-term visits to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock, Arkansas, while fighting multiple myeloma — a cancer affecting the bone marrow.
Jim Decker was able to use his employment at United Airlines to acquire and pass on air miles that allowed Matt and his mother to make the trips.
Kristin was a student at Conant High School at the time of Peterson's cancer diagnosis. She said he'd been helping her through a difficult time in her life when she suddenly found herself helping him in return.
During the more painful days she's had since her run began June 14, she's reminded herself how mild it was compared to what her friend and mentor went through. She even keeps a photograph of him on the top of her shoe as a constant reminder.
Nancy Decker said she and her husband have had their share of concerns about Kristin's well-being during the run but are indescribably proud of her.
“You always want your kids to go out and do something powerful in the world, so it's all good,” she said.
Kristin has raised $10,300 for The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, which focuses on patients between the ages of 18 and 35.
When not running, her team has been delivering presentations, scholarships and even medical supplies in the many of the communities they're visiting.
And that work will take up much of their rare break from running Thursday. In the evening, Bruce Peterson is treating the team for pizza at Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg.
He said he's as moved as the rest of his family by what Kristin's actions are saying about his late son.
“It's amazing how many people he touched in a short time,” he said.
The run is expected to end Saturday, Aug. 1 with a full marathon in Baltimore.