By SALINA POST
The 10th Annual Love, Chloe Family Fun Run will take place in beautiful downtown Salina on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8 a.m. The Fun Run features a one mile walk/run, a 5k walk/run and a 10k run. It’s a morning of FUNdraising for childhood cancer families across Kansas.
“We are excited to have historic downtown Salina as the backdrop for our 2024 Family Fun Run," said Heidi Feyerherm-Smith, Love, Chloe founder and president. “The more spacious road route is perfect for our participants to walk and run safely and to enjoy the scenery through downtown and Oakdale and Kenwood Parks. Last year’s event brought in nearly 500 participants. This year we hope to exceed 600!”
With lower registration fees for the entire family and an option to not receive an event shirt, families can enjoy the morning as we honor and remember our childhood cancer warriors and raise money for these amazing families.
Registration includes a custom cinnamon roll race bib and finisher medal, an event shirt and delicious treats, including cinnamon rolls, of-course, afterwards. Participants can register today at: lovechloerun.org
Fundraising events like the Family Fun Run are becoming more and more important as requests from Kansas families who are navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis reach out for help at an increased rate. The number of families we assisted in 2023 doubled in comparison to 2022.
Love, Chloe provides support to Kansas childhood cancer families through Warrior Wagons, financial assistance grants and gas cards. The cards are funded through our “Fueling the Fight” distinctive license plate available across the state.
In addition, Monkey in My Chair, which was created by Heidi Feyerherm-Smith, keeps children connected to their classmates across the United States, and with partnerships in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and soon, Japan! The Monkey kit is always free to childhood cancer families.
Register today at lovechloerun.org
Chloe's Story
According to the Love Chloe Foundation website, Chloe was born March 1, 2000. A millennium baby and just one day shy of being a leap day baby. Chloe grew up loving all girly things. She loved pink, purple, shopping, shoes, dolls and dressing up. Chloe knew how to make you laugh and was quite the entertainer. Chloe attended Coronado Elementary where she made many friends and did very well in school.
On November 6, 2006 a trip to the doctor changed her and her family’s lives forever. A few weeks before, a family member noticed that one side of Chloe's face looked a little different. After a trip to the doctor, it was determined that it was just Bells Palsy.
This condition is usually temporary and only affects the facial muscles. It wasn't until they realized that Chloe had lost her hearing on the same side that they knew something else was going on. When Chloe went in for an MRI the next day and found out the worst news possible.
Chloe was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). This is a tumor that is growing in the brainstem and cannot be removed with surgery. The diagnosis was grim, but did not discourage her or her family from trying to beat it.
They started the fight with six weeks of radiation treatments. The follow up MRI did not bring the news they had hoped for. Although it didn't appear to be growing, the tumor had not gotten any smaller.
In spite of the disappointing news, they continued on and began looking for other options. In the meantime, Chloe was able to go on a wonderful Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyworld. After the trip to Florida, her wish continued with a trip to the zoo to help feed the animals. Chloe loved monkeys and the chance to feed a lemur was priceless for her.
Her family decided to go to Texas Children's Hospital to continue with Chloe's battle. They do lots of research there and they were able to get into one of their clinical trials.
Chloe's family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston during her treatment. She remained on the trial from May through the beginning of August.
The MRI in August showed a 30 percent growth in the tumor and Chloe had to come off the study. The doctors had nothing else to offer and Chloe was losing more of her ability to walk. Chloe then started on an oral chemo for about a month, but only saw Chloe get tired and worn out from it. She also tried Vitamin C treatments for her last month.
In Chloe's last month, she could no longer walk or swallow on her own. Chloe never let the tumor affect her spirit or love of life, until she was on a feeding tube. Although she hated the tube, she continued to fight against the tumor.
It was on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 that Chloe was freed of all her physical ailments and earned her wings in heaven. She fought hard and inspired all those around her.