Three days, 465 miles: Runners trek from Memphis to Peoria to raise money for St. Jude

Corinne S Kennedy, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
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For Kevin Paulter, participating in the annual St. Jude Memphis to Peoria, Illinois, run is about more than supporting the hospital. It's about staying connected to his son, Dusty, who died of cancer in 1991 at age 12.

"When I train I almost always do it alone. I don't run with other people. It's my time with him, has been for 30 years," he said.

Paulter and his daughter, Jeri Paulter, started the week-long, 465-mile relay run Wednesday morning in Memphis. It's Kevin's 30th year participating and Jeri's 15th.

Kevin Paulter and his daughter Jeri Paulter have run the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run for 30 years and 15 years, respectively, in remembrance of Kevin's son and Jeri's brother who died of cancer at age 12.
Kevin Paulter and his daughter Jeri Paulter have run the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run for 30 years and 15 years, respectively, in remembrance of Kevin's son and Jeri's brother who died of cancer at age 12.

"We want to help people so others don't still have to go through this like we did," said Kevin, who lives in Florida.

The Paulters are two of more than 200 runners participating in the Memphis to Peoria stretch. More than 2,000 people are participating in satellite races, according to ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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The relay-style race concludes Friday in Peoria. There are 35 satellite runs that start at various points in Missouri and Illinois.

At a kickoff event Wednesday at the Sheraton hotel Downtown, runners got a virtual tour of St. Jude — visits to the campus are still restricted due to COVID-19 concerns — and a virtual visit from the family of a former St. Jude patient who is now five years cancer-free to thank them for fundraising.

Kevin Paulter and his daughter Jeri Paulter pose with an award commemorating their years of participation in the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run.
Kevin Paulter and his daughter Jeri Paulter pose with an award commemorating their years of participation in the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run.

Since 1982, the races have raised more than $71 million for the hospital.

ALSAC President and CEO Rick Shadyac said those participating in the run were critical in executing the hospital's $12.9 billion expansion, which will allow it to do more research and care for more children with critical illnesses.

"This is especially remarkable because you choose to use your vacation in service, in service to others. There's no other group that chooses to give a week of their vacation," he said.

Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development and healthcare for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run kicks off, raises money for hospital