Jacey's Race benefits local kids fighting cancer

A little girl fighting a dangerous form of leukemia. A little boy never having known what it's like to just be a totally healthy kid. These kids are not from some far away place, but right here in our community. And now there is an event specifically to help local children fighting cancer or other life threatening illness.

Jacey's Race is a fun community event for the whole family. It is a timed 5K, with an additional 1K run/walk for kids and families, with categories for all ages and ability levels. In addition to the race, it will be a day of kid's activities, music, fitness and fun.

The main objective of Jacey's Race is to help local kids like 7-year-old Kaley Smith, suffering from leukemia and 8-year-old Cody Walker, soon to have a kidney transplant, know that the community is here for them. Jacey's Race honors their bravery and helps alleviate some of the family's financial burden that comes with having a child with an illness.

The race will be held on Sunday, July 15, at Sandpoint High School. This is the first event of this kind in our area, with the emphasis on helping kids just be kids. The event was brought to our area by Nanci and Dr. Ron Jenkins, whose daughter, Jacey, was the inspiration for the event. The Jenkins family moved to Sandpoint from Colorado where Jacey's Race was an event the entire community looked forward to every year. When the family moved to Sandpoint, they saw an opportunity to re-create the event, with the goal of helping children here in their new hometown.

All funds raised will benefit the Smith and Walker families, with gifts to Community Cancer Services, the Sandpoint Chapter of Wishing Star and the new North Idaho Cancer Center in Sandpoint.

You can register for Jacey's Race at the Bonner General Hospital Switchboard, Athlete's Choice, Centerfield Sports, or online at www.jaceys-race.com. Registration for kids age 12 and under is free, pre-registration for adult running the 5K is $25, and adults running the 1K is $10. T-shirts will be given to all participants, with special goody bags for the kids.

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Nanci at (208) 610-6480.

Let local children know we're here for them by participating in Jacey's Race. These kids face hurdles that most of us could only dream of. Every day for kids like Kaley and Cody and their families is a miracle — let's show them one more.