By SALINA POST
The Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk is one of the biggest, most fun, and most affordable races in Salina and it is just around the corner.
The 2024 Fe for A Cure race will be held on Saturday, September 21 and will start and finish at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. The race planning committee has set a goal of being the second race in Salina to have 1,000 registered participants.
Registration is $25.00 for anyone 12 and older and $10.00 for anyone 11 and younger and includes a race t-shirt and breakfast food provided by Salina Regional Health Center Food Services. Register at feforacure.com.
New One Mile Fun Run Option & New Start Time
This year the Fe for A Cure will be offer a 1-Mile Fun Run. This was the number one recommendation from last year's post-race survey results and will make the Fe for A Cure 5K Race Walk an event the entire family can participate in.
The 1-Mile Fun Run race also starts at 8:00 a.m. which will provide cooler temperatures for participants and make it easier for participants and volunteers to get to youth sporting events and other activities.
“Cancer has touched us all in some way. Fe for a Cure not only raises funds to help those in the midst of their battle but also gives us the opportunity to show our support for cancer patients and their families,” said Marla McElderry, Executive Director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation.
The Course
The USATF Certified 5K begins and ends at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center on Santa Fe Avenue. The course takes runners north on Santa Fe, with a turnaround between Elm and Pine Streets leading runners back south on Santa Fe. Runners then turn onto Walnut Street leading to Oakdale Park. A loop in the park leads runners to Mulberry Street, then they take a left back onto Santa Fe Avenue to finish at the Cancer Center.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer forms for Fe for A Cure are available by emailing Daniel Craig at [email protected]. Volunteers are needed along the course to help block entrances and exits, provide pedestrians/runners with course direction, and encourage participants along the course. Volunteers are also need to help with registration and event setup. Volunteers will receive a volunteer shirt and instructions/contact information for key race personnel. Most volunteer shifts are two hours or less and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the great food provided by Salina Regional Food Services after their shift is complete.
"Volunteers are what separate the very best races from other events. We were blown away by both the number of individuals who volunteered for last year's race as well as their passion and commitment to ensuring that every runner had an amazing experience," said Daniel Craig, volunteer coordinator Fe for A Cure.
USATF Certified Races Bring Runners to the Community
Being USATF Certified means that the course has been accurately measured (multiple times) by an approved USATF Certifier to ensure the distance. Many runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. According to race organizers, runners cannot truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate. The 2022 Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk was the first ever USATF Certified event held in Salina. Being USATF Certified is a great way to bring runners from other communities to Salina. In 2023, the Fe for A Cure had 228 registered participants from outside of Salina with 791 total registered participants.
Can’t join us?
Want to participate or support cancer patients, but have a conflict? Register as a Couch Potato ($25 adults/$10 kids) and secure yourself a commemorative t-shirt from the event. Register at feforacure.com.
100% of entry fees support patients at TWCC
Last year there were 791 registered participants in the Fe for a Cure, which made it the second largest running event in Salina! The event raised $26,260 through registrations, donations, and ribbons sales. An anonymous donor also contributed $30,000, bringing the total raised to a record $56,260!
Here are just a few of the ways fundraising events help support patients at Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
· Patient meal program-Patients undergoing long chemotherapy infusions are offered a meal (lunch), Monday thru Thursday. The patient meal program started on November 28 and over 2000 meals have been served. What an amazing gift to our patients! During the school year, the patient meal program provides our Project Search interns the opportunity to learn work skills and business soft-skills with the goal of helping them gain employment. During the summer, we have volunteers who help.
· Appearance center-Patients are able to get wigs, hats, scarves, and other items at no cost. Wigs and other items from the appearance center can help empower patients and help them feel more comfortable and confident as well, as provide a sense of normalcy during treatment.
· Transportation Assistance-Transportation should not be a roadblock to cancer treatment. Our partnership with OCCK allows us to offer transportation services to those who need it at no cost.
· Morrison House-The Morrison House is a guest residence for those living outside Salina with a loved one who is a patient at Salina Regional Health Center and outpatients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
Who was Tammy Walker?
Tammy Walker, of Salina, died of lung cancer in 1973 at the young age of 11. The fifth child of the late Charlie Walker and Margie Walker, Tammy was a friendly, lively child who loved school and animals—especially her horse and her dog. The Walker family was pleased to honor Tammy’s memory with the lead gift for the construction of the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
The 2024 Fe for a Cure is organized and put on by Salina Regional Health Foundation, Meridian Media, and North Salina Community Development. Those who would like more information about the race or the Tammy Walker Cancer Center can contact Craig at 785-452-4848 or [email protected]