Today's guest blog comes from Abena Patton, Manager of Special Events and Web Communications. A fitness enthusiast, and someone who cares about helping others, Abena has helped to organize the kick-off of this charity race on campus for several years. Both she--and MWU--are proud to be affiliated with this meaningful and important event.

Midwestern University celebrated its tenth year hosting the annual St. Jude Chicago-to-Peoria Run on Friday, August 1st. Art Dobbelaere, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, welcomed more than 170 runners and commenced another year of selflessness as the runners trekked 140 miles on the hot and humid day to Peoria, IL.


Photos: Runners from several teams leave campus on their way to Peoria.

The St. Jude Chicago-to-Peoria Run, in its 13th year, is a charity running event that benefits the continued research and care of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. As one of 20 events nationwide for St. Jude's, last year's Chicago-to-Peoria teams raised nearly $290,000 for this cause.



As Dr. Dobbelaere noted, "Midwestern University, as a health care university, is very much attuned to the whole idea of research in medicine." In honor of the tenth anniversary, MWU provided each runner with a flashing sports arm clip, a little added safety to their night running.