Bringing Hope Home will host the sixth annual West Chester Stomps Cancer 5k and 2.5k family fun walk and run on Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:45 p.m. at Barnaby’s of West Chester.
Participants are encouraged to raise funds for Bringing Hope Home, a Philadelphia-based charity which donates money to local families suffering from cancer. Participants can register as fundraisers and pay $0 upfront, or they can pay registration fees ranging from $15 to $30 (depending on one’s age).
Packet pickup will occur at the Chester County Running Store on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Thursday, Sept. 17.
On the day of the event, pre-registered packet pickup starts at 5 p.m. at Barnaby’s.
People can also register on site at 5 p.m. at the Chester County Running Store.
Welcome will occur at 6:20 p.m. at the starting line on the corner of Church and Market Sts.
The 5k starts at 6:45 p.m. Walkers will begin at 6:50 p.m.
After the walk/run, participants are invited to go to Barnaby’s for awards, drink specials, free food, and entertainment.
Awards will include top 3 overall, top 3 male and female categories, top 3 individual fundraisers, top 3 fundraising teams, largest team, and team spirit.
Join Bringing Hope Home to help “STOMP” cancer through fundraising. Participants who raise $50 or more will also get a Bringing Hope Home fanny pack and sunglasses.
Bringing Hope Home actually got its start at West Chester University, in a way.
In 1983, Paul Isenberg, a senior at WCU, met Nicole Makowski. They went on to date, get married, and have two children. Unfortunately, Nicole was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Before she passed away, Nicole encouraged Paul to start a charity to benefit families suffering from cancer. Bringing Hope Home was born.
Since being formed in 2008, Bringing Hope Home has “paid over $2.2 million in essential household bills for over 2,000 local families with cancer in the Greater Philadelphia Area,” according to its website.
“Bringing Hope Home started the West Chester STOMPS Cancer event not only to be a 5k, but to bring the community together to provide additional support to families affected by cancer–and let them know they are not alone,” said Lauren Rubenstein, the BHH Director of Events and Marketing.
Since being started in 2010, the West Chester STOMPS Cancer 5k/walk has raised over $150,000. The goal for this year is $75,000.
To find out more information, check out bringinghopehome.org/2015stomp.
Theresa Kelly is a fourth-year student majoring in English literature secondary education. She can be reached at TK780615@wcupa.edu.