Hundreds participate in Nylen Cancer Center Race for Hope

More than 900 people turned out for the sixteenth annual June E. Nylen Cancer Center Race for Hope held Saturday, September 15 at the Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve in McCook Lake, SD. Over $54,000 was raised for the event, thanks in part to premier sponsors U.S. Bank and Scheels."The Race for Hope took back the trails at Adams Nature Preserve in force this year,” said volunteer race director, Jean Gill. “Last year eighty percent of the trails were under water but we still had great support for the race. This year the crew at Adams worked hard to get the trails ready for our feet and we had record numbers participate."Those who attended the event competed in a 1K fun run for kids, a 5K or 15K run or walk, and enjoyed food and beverages donated by Chili’s and Chesterman Co."George Glass did an amazing job as race ambassador this year and helped us in our quest to raise awareness to all the various types of cancer there are out there,” said Gill. “Reed Eckert was not only our youth ambassador this year but is a cancer survivor himself and helped to raise youth awareness as to how their participation can help people going through cancer treatment."A third of the participants competed for awards. In the 15K the top male overall was Moti Abdissa from South Sioux City with a time of 58:30 and the top 15K overall female was Patricia Keane of Sioux City with a time of 1:04. In the 5K, top male was Devin Croft of Littleton, CO with a time of 19:44 and female was Molly Raddigan of Vermillion with a time of 19:55. Over 90 children entered the 1K Kids fun run.The Kids 1k traveling trophy winners from the boy and girl division of the 1K race was girls two-time winner McKenna Moats attending Akron-Westfield and boys to Jake McGowan – home schooled and brother to Nick McGowan who won the award last year.One hundred percent of the funds raised stay here in Siouxland and enhances the quality of care given to patients and their families. This year the money will help purchase breast boards for radiation treatment, new flat screen TVs for patient education and enjoyment during chemotherapy; and patient assistance fund to help patients struggling with needs related to their cancer diagnosis. The fitness program for cancer patients at the Norm Waitt YMCA will be totally funded by the sponsorship from Scheels. Other major sponsors contributing to make the race a success were Chili’s, Clear Channel Radio Stations, CrossFit Sioux City, KCAU, Avery Bros. Sign Co., Sioux City Journal, Klinger Companies, Inc., Pacific City Graphics, Sioux City Fire Rescue Local 7, November 35th Band and Absolute Screen Art.Race competitor results can be found at www.nylencancercenter.com or for more information, contact the Cancer Center at 712-252-9352.