‘Run for the Holiday’ honors Roebling hero

By: Stephanie Prokop
   ROEBLING — Second-grader Joshua Shafer is a fighter, in more ways then one.
   The Roebling Elementary School student currently holds his yellow belt in karate.
   He has also been undergoing chemotherapy for the past two years fighting a battle against leukemia.
   Joshua’s father, David, says that for the most part, he is doing well, although he has his days here and there.
   Although Joshua has endured countless doctors appointments and visits to the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, he has been a continuous force of energy, as he not only does karate, but also plays soccer.
   On Dec. 2, the annual Run for the Holiday, a race benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, kicks off at Green Acres Recreation Park on Old York Road in Burlington Township. Joshua will be the event’s honored hero.
   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society runs its 5K race (and a 1.5K fitness walk) every year to raise money to aid research hoping to treat and cure blood cancers. While the society annually highlights a cancer survivor, money raised from the race does not directly benefit that survivor, donations are going to the society in Josh’s honor, according to his mother, Amy Shafer.
   This year the race has a twist, with a Wall of Hope disguised as a giant wrapped present, in which people can write messages of inspiration for their loved ones fighting cancer or post memorial pictures of those who have died.
   "We thought we’d have a theme this year, to get people motivated," said Ms. Shafer.
   So far there are 85 pre-registered participants. Joshua’s father was planning on running, but due to a recent back injury, he is unable to. The family will be helping out with the actual registration and event setup.
   "We all help out in the beginning, and we usually get there about 5 a.m.," he said.
   He added that most people will register before the race, anytime between 7 a.m. until the race begins at 9 a.m.
   According to Mr. Shafer, the race coordinators are expecting decent weather for the day of the run, with cold temperatures, but otherwise dry weather. The course is mostly flat and paved with no strenuous hills.