The Jared Coones Memorial Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk is held at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, where Jared went to school. Jared lost his battle to Leukemia when he was ten years old. Eight years later, Jared’s Mom, Jayne, lost her battle to breast cancer. Jared’s Dad, Tom Coones started the Pumpkin Run in memory of Jared and Jayne. Over the last 17 years, Tom has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research, Children’s Mercy, Ronald McDonald’s House and other beneficiares. At last year’s Pumpkin Run, Tom presented Kelly, Kyle, and Evie with the Jayne Coones Hope Award and the Pumpkin Run was a silver level sponsor of Allie’s Sale.

The Natalie’s A.R.T. Foundation 5K and Family Fun Run at the South Creek Office Park in Overland Park. Natalie was a vibrant nine year old girl who passed away from DIPG in May of 2013 after a short 8-month battle. DIPG is a sister tumor to Allie’s gliomatosis cerebri, and Natalie and Allie only lived a mile apart from each other. Natalie’s parents, Steve and Ashley, started Natalie’s A.R.T. Foundation and the 5K as a way to honor and remember Natalie. Their mission is to raise awareness, fund research and improve the treatment experience for children battling cancer. Their beneficiaries include St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and The Cure Starts Now. Allie will be one of the children honored at this year’s 5K and Family Fun Run.