Friday I made it official and registered for year number five in the Chicago To Peoria St. Jude Run to help fund research and treatment of childhood cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Monday morning I received a text message from Scott Packee from Reiman’s Harely Davdidson in Kewanee asking me if he could come by the radio station that afternoon and make a big announcement, of course I said yes with the assumption that he was coming to possibly announce a concert or even a new Harley giveaway. Instead he surprised me with something much, much bigger, a $2,200 check to St. Jude to help kick off the fundraising campaign for 2016. To put that into perspective on what that donation can do for St. Jude patients and families; parents who bring their children to St. Jude often leave home in a hurry and forget to pack day-to-day necessities such as shampoos, razors, deodorant, toothbrushes and lotion. At their short-term housing facility, parents can obtain these essentials free of charge. With this donation they can provide those small comforts for FOURTY families!!!!!

The 2016 St. Jude run means a lot to me because in November a girl I knew, Reagan Kuehn, passed away from leukemia. I met Reagan and her family when they were in Memphis receiving treatment at St. Jude and in the short 20 minutes I spent with her she stuck with me. To read Reagan’s story simply go here.

Under no circumstances is Reagan’s story okay and I am making 2016 my mission to make as much as a difference as I can because this is a story that should never have to be told and I will do whatever I can to make sure I never have to share a story like hers again. Reagan was only six years old. This year, I run for Reagan.

Thank you so much Reimans for your support, I’m truly honored to know such giving and caring people, there are very few small business with hearts as big as yours and Central Illinois is so lucky to have you. Thank you!

To make a donation to St. Jude is simple, just click this link and the donate now button: peoriaruns.stjude.org/irunforreagan

Remember no donation is too small, each and every dollar counts and goes to the funding of research and treatment of those at St. Jude.

Please stay tuned for more on St. Jude, Reagan and how you can help in the coming months.

~Anna Kinkade