Head for the Cure 5k to benefit brain cancer

June 28, 2012|By Lauren Swanson | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — The first ever "Head for the Cure" 5k in Wichita will take place Saturday. Similar events have been successful in Overland Park, Lawrence, and in Missouri and Texas, but this will be the first one in Wichita.

The 'honorary starters' of the run will be Hal Neukirch, Sr. and his wife, Rita. The run will honor their son, Spec. Hal Neukirch, Jr., whose brain tumor was discovered while he was serving in Afghanistan.

"First and foremost, for our part, is the awareness," said Neukirch Sr. He spoke with Cindy Klose today about the event, and his son.

In his final months, comunity members raised nearly $15,000 for Neukirch, Jr., to return to his home in Kansas from the Texas base where he had been stationed.

Neukirch says his son passed away just 15 months after he was diagnosed, which is not uncommon with brain cancers.

Saturday's event aims to increase community awareness and raise money. Donations are welcome, and there is still time to register for the run.

Day-of registration will be open Saturday morning, it is recomended that you arrive at 7 if you still need to register.

The event starts at 8 am Saturday at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st Street, in Wichita.

Cost is $35 dollars per person for day of event registration.

For more information, see the Head for the Cure web site here: http://www.headforthecure.org/wichita-ks/race-details

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