(June 13, 2015, 8:40 p.m.) -- LBREPORT.com provides VIDEO and photo coverage of today's (June 13) Fifth Annual Jalen and Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer Awareness.

The event, held at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Long Beach, is entirely grassroots organized, honoring the memory of the ELB brother and sister who both lost their lives to childhood brain cancer. In 2005, it took the life of Mr. and Mrs. Thayer's only daughter Breanna at age 4. Then barely four few years later, their first-born son, Jalen -- a straight-A middle school student and decathlon athlete at Newcomb Academy (ELB K-8 school) -- received the devastating diagnosis. Despite having seen what the disease did to his sister, Jalen fought his illness with courage, determination and optimism; he died in April 2011 at age 15.

Speakers at the event included Suzie Navarro, who emotionally described the devastation left by treatments that left her daughter (diagnosed at age one) blind, with lifelong learning disabilities and afraid to attend large events; Lauren Valdez, who lost her foot and said she gained confidence after meeting Jalen; strode confidently onto the stage with a prosthesis and is now a five year survivor), and Kristine Wetzel, founder of the McKennaClaireFoundation, whose daughter suddenly developed a form of brain cancer considered terminal on diagnosis and was gone in six months.

The speakers' powerful words speak for themselves. To launch the VIDEO, click here.

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The events began the night before (Fri June 12) at dusk with a torch run from Newcomb Academy to Patrick Henry Elementary, and a candlelight vigil followed (webcast LIVE by LBREPORT.com, on-demand now at at this link.)

By 8:00 a.m. Saturday (June 13), an estimated 300 people had registered to enter one of the event's runs / walks.

Among the event's supporters was the Chick-fil-A restaurant at LB Towne Center (7681 E. Carson St.), which offered every person who participated in one of the event's races one of their famous chicken sandwiches. The restaurant's owner/operator, John Howard, attended personally to support the Thayers' work (spoke with us as part of our video above.) [Chick-fil-A's mascot is also visible in photo below at right.]

One of Jalen's favored phrases was "Have Faith, Be Strong"...and after his passing, the Thayers created a non-profit organization titled "Have Faith, Be Strong" (Facebook page at this link) to support families undergoing a childhood cancer journey and urging increased funding for research and treatments.

At this morning's event, Lance Thayer told the crowd that currently less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute's budget is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research. He said "Have Faith, Be Strong" is joining in efforts to increase that amount beyond 4% and invited audience members to take a digital photo holding a poster calling for "More Than 4" which will be placed on the "Have Faith, Be Strong" Facebook page and website. A number of attendees did exactly that.

Runners sped and walkers strolled along neighborhood streets...

Their presence honored Jalen and Breanna, who today inspire efforts to support families they never knew and fund research for treatments and a cure for those who'll be forever grateful.

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LBREPORT.com was present on March 31, 2011 when Newcomb Academy's entire student body, teachers and administrators held an outdoor assembly to honor Jalen by naming the school's north athletic field for him. Jalen, who had run like the wind on that field, attended in a wheelchair. Offered the microphone at the conclusion of the event, he spoke haltingly in a voice barely above a whisper: "I just want to say thank you, and keep up that positive attitude, and all thanks to God." Within days, he was gone.

Jalen's father, Lance Thayer, was a P.E. teacher and coach at ELB's Millikan High; in the midst of these devastating events, he lost his job for budgetary reasons.

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In August 2014, mother Jennifer Thayer shared her thoughts on the Have Faith, Be Strong website:

Off to a New Start

Many of our followers may already know that we have relocated back to our home; Southern California. It is here where we feel "ready" to move forward in our lives for different reasons. Here in and near Long Beach, CA we have an amazing community of people who knew Jalen Matthew Thayer and some knew Breanna Elise Thayer. When we talk about Jalen or Breanna, which we so often do, people with whom we are conversing actually know them; it helps.

Of course I can talk till I am blue in the face about any of my children, and when speaking about Jalen or Breanna it is very nice if the person with whom I am speaking knows what I am saying to a large degree because they were lucky enough to know Jalen or both of them!

Once our family decided to re-locate, again, and began packing what came to my mind so often was "yes, we are choosing to move back to our home and this packing needs to get done". but really we should be packing and preparing for Jalen to go off to college like every other graduated senior with whom Jalen knew. -- That was the saddest part of our move; our oldest son should be going off to college and much of our summer would have been devoted to spending time together, and preparing to send off our first born baby boy.

I would like to say congratulations to all of Jalen's friends and fellow peers who are going off to college this fall. Many are leaving in the next week or two! My son Jalen would be going off to college too! He had his sights set on Stanford and if you knew Jalen then you know his chance of getting in would be like any other scholar athlete...and better! I said it! Jalen had all of the it factors one needs to succeed in life, and more. In fact, one of his nurses who had also cared for his baby sister Breanna had a contact at Stanford University.

When Jalen was put on hospice and told he is going to die soon, he told this nurse and the doctor who came to visit him that he would be ok. He also told them "thank you for taking care of me." Well, Jalen never got to see the letter which came in the mail after he passed away and one that we framed and put up at his funeral, but he was granted admission into Stanford University when his health allowed him to do so. I will post the letter soon. We cried when we read it. We cried alot. And it does not matter if it was just under the circumstances or not; he was an honored admit to the University of his dreams.

As the days coming up come and go and Jalen's peers are beginning a new adventure in their lives I know hope and pray they will remember my son Jalen! And to all of the parents who are experiencing a world of different emotions as their children leave for school I know you all understand how truly blessed you are to be able to say goodbye and I'll see you again soon (maybe even at parent weekend) to your once babies...And best of luck to all of you in this transition in all of your lives. I only wish I could experience it myself with my boy.

I will say he deserved to be here and get to go off to college if Cancer didn't interrupt his life. But he would say something like "having cancer has made me a stronger person and while I am happy for my friends...God has decided he will teach me all I need to know in Heaven. He must need me there." Gosh I miss my first born son. I love you Jalen! You are attending the University of Heaven...the best place to exist for eternity!!!!!

Love Mommy

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