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5K to benefit Ashburn girl with cancer
Kailee Vance, of Ashburn, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2007 when she was just 5 years old.
Doctors discovered a tumor in her jaw area caused by rhabdomyosarcoma , a rare cancer that mostly affects children.
Now she receives chemotherapy treatments weekly at Georgetown University Hospital , and each month spends one night in the hospital for a heavier dose.
"We have to try to get the tumor down to a size where we can cut it out," said Kailee's mother, Kari Vance. "We have another scan in six weeks, and we're hoping for big results."
To help the Vances, Catherine Lilley, a family friend, has planned a 5K walk/run for May 10. All proceeds will benefit the Vance family and help with their medical expenses.
"We just thought it would be a fun and easy way to raise funds," Lilley said. "It's also a good way to get the community involved."
The event will start at 8 a.m. at Newton Lee Elementary School in Ashburn, the school Kailee attended before she was pulled from classes because of her cancer treatments.
Participation in the 5K is $35 for adults and $5 for children. It is open to all ages, and family participation is encouraged.
Kailee, now 6, said she is excited about the benefit, and she will participate in some way, either walking or riding in a decorated wagon along the 5K route.
Even if Kailee is not feeling well that day, Kari Vance said, the 5K participants will pass by the family home twice, so runners and walkers can wave to Kailee if she stays home.
There will also be a moon bounce, face painting and other fun things for kids to do.
The event will feature a raffle at $5 a ticket for items like limo rides, white-water rafting trips and children's birthday parties. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time, and you do not need to be present at the event to win.
Pink “Team Kailee” bracelets also will be available for sale.
Vance said she is impressed by the way Kailee is handling her treatments, but she's even more touched by the amount of support she's received from members of the community.
"We are truly amazed at how wonderful everyone is," she said. "It's just amazing the amount of community support."
Doug and Kari Vance also are busy raising Kailee's little sisters, Emily, 3, and Alison, 1.
Kailee still has at least 20 more weeks of chemotherapy treatments to go, then doctors will re-evaluate her and determine the next step.
The prognosis for the cancer depends completely on how Kailee's body reacts, and it's hard, Vance said, because the radiation treatments she receives could lead to a risk of cancer later down the line.
For now, the 5K is a way to create a positive atmosphere out of everything that has happened, Vance said.
"We just want to focus on the run," Lilley said. "It's nice to have something fun to think about at the same time as all this."
To register for the 5K, donate or learn more, visit www.kaileesrun.com. You can also go to www.kaileesstory.com or e-mail lilleyca@gmail.com.
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com
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