By Storm Humbert – THE VILLAGE REPORTER
It’s getting cold out, but nothing keeps the body warm like running a mile, or two, or twelve – somewhere in there. The reason, besides getting healthier, in this case, is to give others the chance to get healthier. Yes, by taking some time and getting back in shape, you have the potential to make a difference in the health of others – the health of those who cannot simply run to get better. The people offering this opportunity are those responsible for organizing the Kellen Keiser Memorial Run, and it will be here before you know it.
Kellen Keiser, for those who don’t know, was a student of Fayette Schools when he died of leukemia on September 26, 2010 after a 16 month fight. Kellen didn’t let his condition stop him from being active in his school, church, and the community as a whole. He played sports when he could, but due to his health was only ever able to play one high school sport – baseball – while he was in remission.
The idea for the Kellen Keiser Memorial Run came from a classmate of Kellen’s, Melanie Seiler. Several students involved with the Fayette United Methodist Church and other organizations in the community had walked in the Columbus Health Walk/Run 1/2 marathon and marathon in Kellen’s honor for two years after he passed. Melanie figured Fayette should have their own 1/2 marathon and that’s precisely what they did. Last year, in November, 309 people participated in the first annual Kellen Keiser Memorial Run.
This year, they’re hoping to get more than 500 runners and walkers. Why not run? It’s good for you, it’s going to be cold so everyone may as well keep warm, and the proceeds go to Relay for Life of Fulton County as well as Friends 4 the Fields (a group raising money for a track and sports field at the new school). If you can’t run, there are plenty of ways to support the fight against cancer, one of which is coming out on November 9 and supporting the event.
So, get registered ahead of time, or come on out to the new Fayette School on November 9 and sign up the day of. Bring your running shoes, bring as many friends as you can, and have them bring their shoes and their friends and so on and so forth until there are just too many people. This is a great cause with the goal of furthering research to extend the lives of kids across the country and all over the world affected as Kellen was. The money raised by this event and ones like it goes toward research that could save anyone’s family member at any time. It affects everyone and there is no better reason to get involved than to save the lives of future children and remember those since past.
Storm Humbert may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com