GISH student, Kearney man win Race for GRACE in Grand Island

Cuevas, 17, is a runner at Grand Island Senior High.

Burt, 24, has now taken part in two Races for GRACE, and has won them both. The Kearney resident is studying to become a physician’s assistant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Missouri native ran in college at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.

The real winners, though, were people with cancer. The area surrounding the Liederkranz was crowded with runners, walkers and supporters.

“Today’s just an amazing day for so many of our local cancer patients that are able to come out and celebrate those who have beat cancer, remember those who have lost (to) cancer and stand side-by-side those who are currently fighting cancer,” said Sarah Koch, executive director of the GRACE Cancer Foundation.

A lot of people pitch in to help. “We have about 300 volunteers that help make this event go off without a hitch,” Koch said.

Those people were busy Thursday and Friday, as well as Saturday.

The GRACE Cancer Foundation helps cancer patients in the Grand Island area. “Assistance comes in many forms, such as gas cards, help with medical bills, household expenses, and more,” says a handout from the Foundation.

One of the bigger groups Saturday morning came from Barr Middle School.

“I think we had probably 55 people sign up,” said Shannon Ripp, a sixth-grade science teacher. About half of those people work at Barr.

The group was running in support of Ripp’s daughter, Madison, who was diagnosed with melanoma in September 2022.

“I’m officially in remission as of December 2023,” said Madison, who is a graphic designer at Sayler Screenprinting.

It was the first Race for GRACE for Madison, 22. But it wasn’t the first for her mother.

“I’ve done this multiple times, long before she was ever diagnosed,” Shannon said.

She participates “just because I love to go out running.” Shannon Ripp also feels a debt to the race’s sponsor.

“Grace Foundation has done a lot for my daughter. They helped pay for traveling expenses for her to Texas to see a specialist. They provided gift cards for food and gas and medical bills, and so they’ve done a fabulous job in supporting her as a cancer patient,” Ripp said. “I want to give as much back to them as possible.”

Before the races, the crowd heard from Heather Tjaden and her 9-year-old friend, Emersyn Arterburn.

Emersyn was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back portion of the brain.

In December 2021, Tjaden was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer — the kind that people say is incurable and that “gives you a life expectancy of three to maybe five years to live,” Tjaden said in her talk.

The weight of those words crushed them as they “struggled how to comprehend the whirlwind of days that lay ahead,” she said.

“Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, we were reminded of the power of community — the power of people coming together in times of need,” Tjaden said.

Friends, family and neighbors rallied around them, offering words of encouragement, acts of kindness and unwavering support.

“But then we met a beacon of hope amidst the darkness called the GRACE Foundation. It provides resources, support and guidance for those navigating through a cancer diagnosis and all of its complexities,” Tjaden said.

Cancer can be “such an isolating experience,” leaving patients feeling alone and overwhelmed. But the GRACE Foundation helps people find solace, strength and solidarity, she said.

“For those of you who may find yourself facing similar struggles, I offer this message of hope,” she said. “You are NOT alone. Together we can overcome the greatest challenges, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever because the GRACE Cancer Foundation and this community will have your back every step of the way.”

Lisa Willman and Julie Pfeifer, the co-founders of RACE for Grace, were in a good mood Saturday morning.

“Julie and I are just so excited to see so many runners out. I think we’re just shy of 1,400, and it’s just amazing that after 14 years we keep growing, and it’s inspiring every year.” They are “just so grateful to the community for their everlasting support,” Willman said.

“We just are amazed every year at the support we get at this event,” Pfeifer said. “We love seeing the community out supporting us, and we just are excited to keep going.”

The race doesn’t attract just people from Central Nebraska. “We have people coming from Iowa, Kansas. We’ve had people come from California before,” Willman said. “It’s been crazy. It just amazes us every year — the support.”

Actually, participants are scattered around the U.S. Koch pointed out that the race has a virtual option. People from 14 states took part, “as well as people from all over the state of Nebraska,” she said.

Some of those people have ties to central Nebraska. But some just believe in the mission, Koch said.

One of Saturday’s in-person runners was Brittany Horton of Juniata. Cheering her on were her husband, Brad, and their three children, who are 4, 6 and 9.

A group of nine people showed up for Dan Garner of Grand Island. Garner, 71, is battling colon cancer. His father, Dan Sr., made the trip from Osmond to provide support.

The other seven people covered the two miles. “We’re Team Dan,” said Dan’s wife, Tami, who is a cancer survivor herself.