Friends Turn Hope into Action for Girl Battling Cancer

Friends Turn Hope into Action for Girl Battling Cancer: Over 200 runners to meet at San Clemente pier this Saturday to raise money

“Katie never stops fighting. We don’t want her to fight alone. That’s why we are going to help,” said 14-year-old Lake Duerksen and friend of Katie Hawley whose Neuroblastoma cancer returned after battling the disease for five years.

Lake and a big community of Orange County soccer players and parents are hosting a 2.6K run beginning at the San Clemente pier at 7:30am on June 8.

“The response has been incredible, but we always need more help,” said Betsy Duerksen, run organizer and mother of Lake. Over 200 participants have registered for Saturday’s run raising $11,000.00 to help the Hawley family pay for expensive medical treatments.

Katie, who is 13 years old, underwent 4 surgeries, 6 cycles of chemotherapy, and 12 rounds of radiation therapy when she was nine. After this intensive treatment, no evidence of disease was found. Then, in January of this year, the Hawley family received the news they never wanted to hear: the cancer was back.

Katie’s mother, Mary Kay, quit her job to help Katie through the latest treatment that included several trips to San Francisco for intensive radiation treatment in isolation.

“After everything the Hawley family has been through, this is a chance for the larger community to get together and make a difference,” said Duerksen of Saturday’s run. People who want to participate can register at http://www.soccerforhope.org/katie or simply make a donation.

Saturday’s event will begin with a blessing before the run kicks off at 7:30 am. For more information on Katie’s fight with cancer, go to her Caring Bridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katiehawley

If you would like more information on the event or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Aaron Duerksen at (949) 637-3020 or email Aaron at aaronkduerksen@gmail.com