Saturday Morning Is 6th Annual Jalen & Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk For Childhood Cancer Awareness @ ELB's Patrick Henry School; Registration On Now, Details Here
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(June 8, 2016, 5:20 p.m.) -- LBREPORT.com urges our readers to attend -- and to spread word and tell your online and real-world friends to take part -- in the 6th annual Jalen and Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer Awareness on Saturday morning June 11 (events start at 8 a.m.) at Patrick Henry School, 3720 Canehill Ave. in East Long Beach. Online registration information is on a link below.
Now in its sixth year, the event is entirely grassroots organized, a genuine community effort. It honors 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 just a 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.
Registration for the events -- a 5K competitive race, 5K fun run/walk, 1K Kids race and a Toddler Trot -- is online at at this link.
Individuals and groups who can't be present personally but would like to participate as "virtual runners" can register and run or walk on their own and then send in photos and their time for inclusion in the results after completing the run/walk.
The night before (June 10), there'll be a candlelight vigil at the Patrick Henry school at 7:00 p.m.
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Jalen had seen firsthand what the disease did his sister but he fought his illness with courage and optimism. One of his favored phrases was "Have Faith, Be Strong."
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 leaping hurdles, 2007. Jalen was also a scholar, a straight A student.
March, 2011: Family before the Celebration of Life at Henry Elementary School. Left to right: Jennifer Thayer, Scott Thayer, Jalen Thayer, Matthew Thayer, Lance F. Thayer and Michelle Thayer.
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. What this family has undergone is simply unimaginable, yet they are now working to help others.
Mr. and Mrs. Thayer created a 501(c)(3) non-profit group carrying Jalen's favorite expression "Have Faith, Be Strong." The group has a website at www.havefaithbestrong.org and has a Facebook page at this link. The group's mission is to enrich the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer, providing support for families dealing with the devastating diagnosis. Childhood brain cancer is an especially deadly form of the disease but receives only a fraction of the research funding given to other cancers.
The family hopes for a large community turnout for Saturday's event. On Facebook, the Thayers say, "We hope you will all come out and support Have Faith Be Strong in all of our childrens' honor!! The more participation we get at our 5k the more families we will be able to help whose children/child are going through cancer treatment!!"
6th annual Jalen and Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Saturday June 11, events begin 8:00 a.m.
Patrick Henry Elementary School, 3720 Canehill Ave in East Long Beach.
5K competitive race, 5K fun run/walk, 1K Kids race and a Toddler Trot
Online registration is available now at this link.
