Memorial asthma walk returns for 10th year
In the news
MARYVILLE, Mo — The 10th annual Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Walk/Run, a fundraising event centered on raising awareness about asthma and other lung conditions, will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Courter College Park Pavilion on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.
Proceeds from run are donated to SSM Health St. Francis Hospital in Maryville and the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).
Registration costs $20 for adults and $10 for students and children. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and complimentary brunch.
Runners and walkers can register beginning at 8 a.m. on the morning of the event, in advance at www.runforjen.com, by calling Julie Shaw at 816-591-0788 or by emailing Karly Johnson at [email protected].
Those wishing to make cash donations can mail checks made out to SSM Health St. Francis Hospital in care of Tim Shaw, 12221 N.E. 148th St., Liberty, MO, 64068.
Event sponsorships are available to individuals and businesses for $250 each. Donors are also urged to contribute items for a raffle and “goody bags” given away to participants.
Money raised from the run benefits St. Francis’ Respiratory Therapy Department, which is seeking to purchase a new lung screening device, and the KUMC asthma unit.
Members of Northwest’s Phi Mu sorority play a major role in organizing the event. In addition, hospital staff will be on hand to provide asthma-awareness information and free asthma screenings.
Suhr, a Phi Mu sorority member who graduated from Northwest in 1992, died in 2000 after a lifelong battle against asthma.
She was survived by her husband, Troy, also a Northwest graduate, and 2-year-old son Wyatt, currently a sophomore at the university majoring in political science.
“By planning and participating in the upcoming event, those of us who knew Jennifer have the opportunity to reminisce about the special times we had with her, and that keeps her spirit alive,” said Tim Shaw, Jennifer’s brother.
“At the same time, we realize not everyone taking part in the 5K knew Jennifer, so we hope to bring awareness and educate others on how deadly this disease can be.”
Last year’s event attracted more than 200 participants and raised more than $6,000. To date, the run has raised a total of more than $40,000.
