The event has visitors run (or walk) to raise money for various patients or groups trying to battle cancer.
An annual tradition in the Ramblewood Farms neighborhood of Mt. Laurel will return for its fifth year with the Crush Cancer Fun Run on May 21.
The event has local residents run or walk at Ramblewood Farms development to raise money for various patients or groups battling cancer.
Harrington Middle School seventh-grader Justin Koch began the event in 2013 when he was in third grade to support his teacher, Tracy Newhart, a former teacher at Hillside Elementary and assistant principal at Hartford School who had ovarian cancer.
Although Newhart passed away last year, Justin said he wasn’t going to stop fighting cancer, so his annual event will return this year to keep raising money.
“She and I had a bond and we became very good friends over this,” Justin said.
According to Justin, this year funds will go toward Throw Cancer a Curveball, a group set up to help Medford teenager Danny Hill, the cousin of one Justin’s good friends, as Hill and his family deal with the costs of his battle with cancer.
Justin said he was first inspired to start his fundraiser to help his teacher and others by a unit in school on community service, which he said has instilled in him a belief in the importance of giving to people less fortunate than himself.
“As the years go on, more people I’m close with and more people nationally will get affected by cancer, and I just feel I should try to help them,” Justin said.
In describing the Crush Cancer Fun Run, Justin said the event could sometimes be “complete chaos, in a good way” as neighbors converge to eat, drink, chat and eventually run and walk.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to get people’s attention because they’re talking and playing around, but it’s a good thing,” Justin said.
Justin said he wants to invite as many people as possible to stop by for the event, donate and just enjoy the fun.
“I think they should definitely come out because I feel like it’s a very good cause,” Justin said. “It’s always fun to know that you’ve made a difference and know that you can help someone.”
The fifth annual Crush Cancer Fun Run will take place on Sunday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at 741 Cornwallis Drive in Ramblewood Farms.
For more information, contact (856) 787- 9571 or email meridethkoch@comcast.net
Raffle prizes will also be available.
