CureSearch Athletics

Our Smallest Patients Should Be Our Largest Concern.

Each year, thousands of children with cancer leave childhood innocence behind to enter a world of chemo and radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, blood transfusions and surgery. They place their lives into the care of dedicated physicians and nurses, hoping for a cure. But without continued funding, childhood cancer specialists are limited in the work they can do to pioneer better cures with fewer long-term side effects.

Because funding for pediatric cancer research is so lacking, CureSearch Athletics was created. There are many support organizations for cancer but the contributions made through these groups barely touch the lives of children suffering from cancer.

94% of all funds raised through CureSearch Athletics goes directly and exclusively toward research to find treatment and ultimately a cure for childhood cancer. Because we do not spare a single cent, we can not offer incentives to our athletes other than this:

With your help, we will cure childhood cancer.

As inspiration to help us "reach the day", we have provided you with stories of some extremely heroic children. Their experiences are all very different but each reaches an identical conclusion. Although their battles are over, their spirits live on in every person who knew them or will come to know them from their stories...

Click on each child's picture for their individual stories

These are the children of hope – hope that one day there will be a cure for each of them and all other children fighting cancer. To know these kids and understand the battles they face is an honor and a privilege unlike any other. As you read their stories, know that every facet of each child's journey helps doctors refine treatments for others who will follow in their footsteps.

Click on each child's picture for their individual stories

CureSearch Athletics team members - in their own words.

Miriam Swihart | 2006 Country Music Half Marathon

"As a Pediatric Oncology Nurse my life is touched daily by the amazing strength and courage of children with cancer.

I am privileged to walk with them on part of their individual journeys. I have discovered I am passionate about these children and their families, and desire to help them in any way I can. However; this is NOT enough! Childhood cancer is an ugly, unfair disease, discriminating against no one and attacking innocent children. We must fight and persevere for the day there will be a CURE found!

I was excited to find CureSearch.org whose aim is to reach the day where there will be a cure, and support them in this goal.

As a person who enjoys being active, I was even more thrilled to discover CSAthletics. I was able to easily create a webpage for myself to "advertise" my participation in the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in Nashville, TN and ask family and friends to support me in that, by donating to CureSearch.org.

It was so encouraging to feel and see their support as my initial goal was more than doubled! I ran the race thinking about, and praying for, the children and families that I know who are currently fighting cancer – that was my strength through the race and that is why I would encourage you to get involved with CSAtheletics!"

Christopher K. | First Time Runner | Disney World Half Marathon

"Well it is done and I survived. Running the Disney Half Marathon was great experience that was a wonderful finish to all the training.

The race itself was a lot of fun. There were some obstacles we had to overcome before we could even start. First, the temperature was well below average for Central Florida in January making it a nippy thirty degrees at race time. Second the sheer number of runners (over 16,000) made it hard for the Cure Search Team to come together for the race. Fortunately Chris and I found Cynthia and we were prepared with gloves and hats to make the cold bearable. The start was a neat Disney spectacle complete with characters and fireworks. It took us about fifteen minutes to cross the starting line at which time we were informed that the lead runners had already crossed the two mile mark, yeesh! The race took us through the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT and along the way there were bands, cheerleaders, Disney characters and spectators cheering us on.

I was able to complete the course in 2 hours and 15 minutes and came in 4207th place. A finish time and place that I am thoroughly happy with. I am especially proud of the fact that I finished close to the top 25% when I started in the back 25%. I was not so sure that I was doing that well when at the ten-mile mark a middle-aged women in full Minnie Mouse costume blew by me!

First and foremost I have to thank my beautiful bride Renee for all of her support both during the training and during the race. Seeing her, Emma and Sam at the four-mile mark kept me moving. Knowing she was at the end got me to the finish line. She made up t-shirts for our whole group of spectators and it was a great surprise. I could not have run a mile without her. I also want to thank the rest of my cheering spectators, Dad, Mom, BJ and Art. Thank you very much for braving the cold, dark and in some cases the Disney parking authorities to cheer us on.

Thank you as well to my running mates. Comparing notes and hints with Chris and Cynthia during training was a huge help. Their companionship during the race not only helped me endure the miles, but made them fun. I especially need to thank Chris for leading me to the finish line. I started to have some ankle pain at the seven-mile mark and it grew significant the last few miles, keeping up with Chris got me through.

Last but not least, thank you all very much for your support and contributions. We have raised over $1,100 for a very worthy cause and of all the things I have accomplished that is what I am most proud of and most humbled by."