Runners and walkers take to the track to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the Katch A Kure 5K Run/Walk at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. METUCHEN — What began with a student’s concern for ailing children has resulted in the community rallying to raise more than $2,000 for young patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
More than 80 walkers and runners came out on Sept. 28 to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at the second annual Katch A Kure 5K Run/Walk hosted by Metuchen’s St. Joseph High School. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital advances cures and means of prevention for pediatric diseases through research and treatment.
“I’m honored to contribute to both the camaraderie in the St. Joe’s community as well as the fight against pediatric cancer,” said Vincent Tummarello, a member of the Class of 2015 and committee chairperson for Katch A Kure.
The event was the brainchild of Matthew Kachersky, now a graduate of St. Joe’s. While a student there, he chose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the topic of a social justice project for his religion class.
What he learned about the patients and their families lingered in Kachersky’s mind long after the assignment was completed. Looking for a way to help, he talked to his guidance counselor, Tracy Blauvelt, about putting together a 5K to raise funds. Blauvelt pointed Kachersky to Adele Ellis, who also works at St. Joseph High School and is the race director for the Colonia 5K Classic/ Chris Jantas Fun Run. From there, the event was born.
This year’s Katch A Kure 5K was organized by the Social Action class and Ellis, who teaches the class. Social Action is a senior religion course that provides opportunities for students to serve the community and themselves with an experience that expands their human understanding, social compassion, individual responsibility and self-confidence.
Sponsors for the event were Anytime Fitness of Colonia; Dr. Emma Yepez, Advanced Family Chiropractic of Colonia; Metuchen Travel; J.J. Bitting, Woodbridge; Main Street Trattoria, Metuchen; Marcille Architect, Metuchen; Now Serving: Social Media; Hronich & Co., Metuchen; and Hummel Integrated Marketing Solutions, Union.
Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital can be mailed care of St. Joseph High School, 145 Plainfield Ave., Metuchen.