Lung cancer run/walk raises $2,500
Despite a rainy start, close to 200 participants, volunteers and supporters turned out for the inaugural Pairing Up to Beat Lung Cancer 5K/One-Mile Run/Walk Saturday, Nov. 4, in downtown Arlington Heights.
The event raised awareness around lung cancer, honored survivors and those lost to lung cancer, and raised donations to help patients struggling with the financial burden of fighting the disease.
Among the top finishers in the Men's Division/5K, the winners were: First place: Eric Sopp, 47, of Downers Grove (19:06); second place: Tim Mucha, 28, of Elk Grove Village (19:20); and third place: Paul Quinn, 49, of Mount Prospect (20:23).
In the Women's Division/5K, the winners were: First place: Kelly Tinnes, 28, of Chicago (22:19); second place: Amanda Richey, 36, of Chicago (23:00); and third place: Lydia Nadal, 32, of Arlington Heights (23:35).
In the 5K Pairs Division, the winners were: Eric Sopp, 47, of Downers Grove and Brad Scheidhauer, 47, of Arlington Heights, with a combined time of 39:36.
In the One-Mile Run/Walk, Edward Nieman, 13, of Palatine won for Male Division (08:11) and Kelsey Fricthl, 28, of Springfield won for Female Division (08:19).
About $2,500 was raised for the Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation Lung Cancer Fund, which helps patients at NCH who find themselves in financial distress because of their diagnosis.
"It provides $300 to each applicant to help with rent or mortgage, food and utility bills," said race director and Patient Navigator Juli Aistars, APN.
"This fund has helped two people treated at NCH in the last few months, one who had not been able to return to work and another who was unable to work during treatment and moved in with her daughter."
The fund is in addition to the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, which provides up to $1,250 for anyone diagnosed with cancer at NCH who is in need of financial assistance.
"We are grateful to the participants of this event and the volunteers who helped to run it," said Dave Ungurean, Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation director. "Every dollar raised helps our lung cancer patients who need financial help."
Next year's event will take place Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018.
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