Lillie’s Friends Foundation Family Fun Festival and 5K Run/Walk

The Family Fun Festival and 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, April 19, at 7:45 a.m. at the BB&T Ballpark – Home of the Winston Salem Dash (951 Ballpark Way Winston Salem, 27101). The Jaycees will provide volunteers to assist with the race and an Easter egg hunt.

In 2006, a community of friends came together to support Lillie Boyte, a beautiful, playful and charismatic three-year-old who was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Lillie spent the next 10 months fighting for her life. During this time, Lillie’s family received an outpouring of support from hundreds of “friends” across the country that were touched by Lillie’s courage. These many helping hands provided encouragement for the family through prayer, kindness and support. Lillie’s Friends Foundation was started by Lillie’s parents and with the help from many of Lillie’s Friends who have committed to honor children fighting this disease and to help families realize their hope. The foundation provides families with real hope by:

• Raising awareness and funding for innovative research that significantly increases cure rates.

• Supporting families going through the “crisis of belief” that comes with their child’s diagnosis.

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system – a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Each year there are about 700 new cases in the United States. It is usually found in young children under the age of five, though it may rarely occur in older children and adults. These solid tumors – which take the form of a lump or mass – may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or most, commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow.

Interested in chairing this event? Contact Sara Butner at [email protected].