“It means a lot to me because I know that there are a lot of people in the world who have or are affected by cancer,” said junior Mary Keeney.

The members of the cross-country team will be running 18 miles along North Oak on Friday, Oct. 11, for the annual Black Out Cancer Relay Run. The run is designed to put some more focus on childhood cancer.

The team will make a loop around the track and carry donation buckets through the crowd at the football game to collect donations for Children’s Mercy Hospital. Cross-country members have also sold T-shirts to support this cause. Students may purchase those in the Great Hall during Falcon Hour.

The team is asking that everyone wear black to the football game against Kearney High School, and they are hoping that each student will donate at least $1 to the cause.

“The purpose of the run is to raise money to help children with cancer. It helps us bond as a team as well,” said sophomore cross-country member Cara Chester.

Many members of the cross-country team have their own reasons for participating in next week’s relay.

“I thought it was just fun and at the same time, running is just something we love to do,” said Chester, who will be participating in the Black Out Cancer Relay for her second time.

“One of the reasons why I love to run is because my sister is handicapped and she can’t,” said Keeney. “I love to run because it feels like I’m running in her place. It’s what truly motivates me.”

The Black Out Cancer Relay helps raise not only money, but also raise awareness of childhood cancer. It also helps those affected by cancer to feel the support of the community. Members of the cross-country team said that, given the opportunity, they would go through all of the preparation again, and they would participate in the relay all over again.

“I’m looking forward to running for even more people than just my sister and doing it to show the fight that people with cancer have to go through,” said Keeney. “Running is like going through a trial like cancer, because even though it hurts, you have to push through to the end.”