Saturday will be the second annual “Sprint into Spring Community 5k” hosted by the Wildcat Running Club. This year, the race is sponsoring the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center.
Kyle Wilson, president of the running club, said it was an easy choice to donate the funds to the Steele Center.
“Last year, we donated to the American Cancer Society, but this year we wanted to keep it local with a great UA organization benefiting children in our community.”
The Steele Center helps provide Diamond Children’s hospital with research and funding. Diamond Children’s is an academic medical center that has over 60,000 patient visits per year, according to Laura Hopkins, coordinator for Annual Giving and Special Events for the Steele Center. Patients are treated while doctors simultaneously conduct research. The children receive the latest breakthroughs in treatments for cancer, diabetes and other ailments.
Hopkins said this is Tucson’s best kept secret.
“People easily recognize the work of [St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital],” Hopkins said. “UAMC does the exact same thing. We want to give people the confidence knowing they are getting the best care possible and don’t have to uproot their families during a traumatic time to seek treatment in another city.”
The money that is donated to the Steele Center will go toward research. Once doctors have data to showcase with proven results, they may then receive funding from grants to provide treatments for children, according to Hopkins.
Lindsay Schader, race coordinator for the Wildcat Running Club, has had a lot of help putting the race together. Various local organizations have been supportive by giving donations for prizes from places like Lindy’s on 4th, Pei Wei Asian Diner and The Running Shop.
“We wanted to have a meaningful 5K that worked with local businesses that gave back to our community, since we do so many races helping other communities,” Schafer said.
Last month, the Wildcat Running Club participated in the Del Sol Ragnar Relay. The relay was a 200 mile race from Wickenburg to Tempe. The funds from the race were donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Arizona.
The Wildcat’s Sprint into Spring Community 5k will take place this Saturday at Kennedy Fiesta Park at 3700 South La Cholla Blvd. at 9 a.m. There is a $20 registration fee for minors and students and a $22 fee for non-students. There is also registration available the morning of the race at 8 a.m.
—Follow Daniela Vizcarra @vizcarra_dw