Jacey's Race honors 2016 beneficiaries
—Photo courtesy KAREN McCLELLAND 2016 Jacey’s Race beneficiaries, left to right: Ayria Harrison, Megan Roberts, Natalie Rachels. Not pictured: Kiera Frazier-Reed.
—Photo courtesy KAREN MdCLELLAND Jacey’s Race beneficiaries and their family members attended a pre-event dinner in their honor.
SANDPOINT — The chance to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise and help others is absolutely irresistible for many in this town, and Sunday, July 10, Jacey's Race will offer a golden opportunity to adults and children alike.
Jacey's Race is an annual fundraising event that benefits children with serious diseases. The first race took place in Boulder, Colo., in 2001 to help a 4-year-old girl with cancer. That little girl, Jacelyn Lawson, survived and became a 2014 Sandpoint High School graduate. When they moved to Sandpoint, her family moved Jacey's Race along with them, and it has been a favorite community cause since 2007, according to the event website.
Each year, organizers select several children to receive proceeds from the race. This year, they are: Ayria Harrison, 3, acute lymphocytic leukemia; Megan Roberts, 12, idiopathic juvenile arthritis; Natalie Rachels, 10, cytomegalovirus (CMV) syndrome; Kiera Frazier-Reed, superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
Wednesday evening, the Jacey's Race organization, which is completely staffed by volunteers, hosted its beneficiary dinner at Tango Cafe. Those chosen to receive funding and their parents spoke briefly about their illnesses and their passions, said Karen McClelland, a member of the board of directors.
Each child struggles with unique challenges every day, from severe pain to secondary infection. Natalie's mother, Jessica, actively works to raise awareness of the virus which caused her daughter's disabilities and how to prevent it. Meagan volunteers with arthritis and epilepsy foundations, despite her disease, while Kiera and her mother, Jodie, work to educate others about her rare disorder. Ayria is scheduled to complete her chemotherapy next year, said McClelland.
Adults and children can register for their choice of a 1K or 5K race. Adult advance registration is $15 and $25, respectively, with an additional $5 the morning of the race. Children 12 and under can enter free. Check-in is from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Information: www.jaceys-race.com