It's Official

I have officially committed to being a St Jude Runner.  This year our little community has joined together to form a team of Tremont to Peoria Runners.   Jamee committed to it a while ago and Jade had wanted to run as well.  However, there is a strict minimum age requirement of 16 so Jade will have to wait for next year.  If Jade does run next year I will have to run with her as anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.   I've put off committing this year, not knowing if I am really capable of doing this.  But alas.......the fundraising  letters are typed and on their way so there is no backing out now.  Here is a copy of the letter

Dear Friends and Family,

For the first time, our family has decided to join in the effort of fundraising for the children of St. Jude. Karol and Jamee will be joining a team of runners in “Jog for Jada” the first Tremont to Peoria run. To date, St Jude runners have raised $22.7 million. This is an astounding number with 100% of every dollar going toward the research, treatment, and care of childhood cancer.

Childhood cancer first left an impact on Jamee’s life when, in kindergarten, her little friend, Nicholaus, lost his battle with the disease. A few years later, Lexi, another child from our school also died of cancer. Brock, a student just 2 years younger than Jamee, has also battled this mighty disease. Most recently, in January of this year, Jada, 5 year old daughter of Jamee’s youth pastor was diagnosed of Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney and began her battle against cancer.

The death of our beautiful daughter and sister, Jalayne, nearly two years ago, has made us painfully aware of the unspeakable sorrow of saying goodbye to a child far too soon. While we cannot prevent all childhood accidents and death we can do our part in joining in the fight against childhood cancer.

Karol and Jamee are looking forward to joining the many other St Jude runners in the race against cancer on Saturday, August 6th. We will begin running in Tremont and will run the 35 miles of back roads to downtown Peoria. We will run in memory of Nicholaus and Lexi and in honor of Brock and Jada, knowing in our hearts that our sweet Jalayne will be cheering us on.

If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause, your contributions will be greatly appreciated. You can send a check made out to St Jude Runs to us at 6290 Broadway Road Groveland, IL 61535 or donate online at www.stjuderuns.org/kjholmes.

We understand that not everyone can donate monetarily. Still, we ask that you remember us and all of the runners on this day. Most importantly, remember and pray for the little warriors, those who have lost, won, or are still fighting against childhood cancer. It is for them that we run.

May God Bless You All,

Karol and Jamee Holmes