Rain Doesn't Deter Participants in 6th Annual Jalen & Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk For Childhood Cancer Awareness

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(June 11, 2016, 12:50 p.m.) -- A steady drizzle didn't deter participants in this morning's (Sat. June 11) 6th annual Jalen and Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer Awareness.

For VIDEO coverage, click here.

Runners / supporters gathered at Patrick Henry School, which Jalen attended before moving on to to Newcomb Academy.

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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 their first-born son, Jalen -- named most inspiring student when he attended Patrick Henry School and a straight-A middle school student and decathlon athlete at Newcomb Academy (ELB K-8 school) -- received the same devastating diagnosis at age 13.

Jalen saw firsthand what the disease did to his sister but he fought his illness with courage and optimism. One of his favored phrases was "Have Faith, Be Strong." Mr. and Mrs. Thayer created a 501(c)(3) non-profit group carrying Jalen's words "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.

At today's event, supporters purchased T-shirts and other items to help support Have Faith Be Strong. Donations to the non-profit are also accepted via the group's website at HaveFaithBeStrong.org.

Jennifer Thayer (photo left) chats with Millikan High teacher Thomas Sutfin (teaches Computer Science).

Event sponsors included Apex Audio, Inc. (Huntington Beach); Chick-Fil-A (Long Beach Towne Center location); VS Athletics; and Happy Thoughts Photo Booth (from Long Beach.)

Jalen and Breanna were registered in the race as runners numbers 1 and 2.

LBREPORT.com was present on March 31, 2011 when Newcomb Academy's entire student body, teachers and administrators held an outdoor, with Jalen present in a wheelchair, to name the school's north athletic field for him. Supporters of "Have Faith, Be Strong" tell LBREPORT.com that the newly rebuilt Newcomb campus' new athletic field will include a memorial marker in his Jalen's name, expected to be placed in the coming school year (2016-17).