12th Annual Christmas Without Cancer 5k Run/Walk (In-Person OR Virtual Option)

12th Annual 5K Run/Walk Fundraising Event for Christmas Without Cancer NFP

All funds raised will enable Christmas Without Cancer to persist in its mission of supporting Southland families who are fighting the harsh realities of cancer throughout the year.

Who is Christmas Without Cancer NFP?
A nonprofit organization established in 2003 by Gerri Neylon, a compassionate oncology nurse who observed the hardships her patients faced - physically, emotionally, and financially. Our team provides a variety of support, including Christmas gifts, gift cards for gas, groceries, medications, and financial assistance for mortgage, rent, car payments, school tuition, and household bills. Although our name includes "Christmas," we take pride in offering assistance year-round to qualifying recipients, made possible by the generosity of our wonderful supporters. For more than twenty years, we have been able to help thousands of families in the Southland who are dealing with the difficulties of cancer.

Be sure to return in September for a schedule of the day's celebrations! Can't wait to see you on Saturday, September 19th.

More info to come!

Did Christmas Without Cancer help your loved one during their fight?  Let us know if their name should be added to our angel/memorial list by emailing CWCRunWalk@gmail.com.  Deadline: Friday, August 28th for printing purposes.

Jacob Abraham
Matt Allen
Kevin Ashe
Isaias Banderas
Joanna Barajas
Jason Barker
Peter Barley
Austin Barnett
Deirdre Baxa
Emily Beazley
Frank “the tank” Belotti
Heather Bliss
Edward Blommaert
Lindsay Botwinski
Finley Bracken
Tim Brennan 
Tiffany Brown
Joe Bruno
Salvatore Burke
Brendan Burns (2022 honoree)
Jay Canna
Shane Callaghan
Anne Carboneau
Nicole Carey
Angela Carson
Lorena Chavarria
Patrick Clarkin
Kayla Cleveland
Dan Coghlan
Raul Crucero
Elizabeth Curtner
Geri Doherty
Tim Doherty
Bob Dolan
Billy Doran
Tom Dorian
Debbie Dorner
Erika Douglas
Sue Duddleston
Dan "Duff" Duffy
Fiona Duggan
Jim Earley
Serita Edwards
Chris Ellis
Laura Fassl
Katie Ferguson
Lauren Fields
Jason Gabriel
Sharon Gabriel
Glenn Gillespie
Maryellen “Mel” Goins
Linda Gray
Jeff Grude (2023 Honoree)
Tony Gustin
Patalee Harrison
Laura Hartelius
Phillip Hassett
Earl Henderson
Joe Hermann
Efrain Herrera
Matt Hooker (2019 In Honor Of)
Richard Hornat
Ron House
Mary Jordan
Phil Jordan
Gary Hughes
Jack Katz
Tom Kennedy
Stan Kij
Erin Kress
Nancy Kryszak
Jeremy Krzeminski
Julie Kwak
Candy Laff
Sally Foy Leigh
Doug Lewellyn
Carlos Licona
Geraldine Loverde
Christy Lynch
Samatha Majewski
Susan Markovich
Stephen McAllister
Erin McCann
Kathy McCann
Mike McComb
Joe McDonald
Kylie McElheny
Leo V McFarland
Jessie McHale
Bob McQuillan
Nick Miceli
Andrew Mikal
David Muffitt    
Maureen Murphy 
Tom Nelligan
Rachel Nielsen
Paula Norris
Kathy O’Malley
James Ouelette
Chris Panicucci
Anthony Pappalas
Kevin Patras
Anna Pineda
Julia Pratte
Patricia Quick
Michele Radavic
Kevin Renderman
Paul Reynolds (2024 honoree)
Debra Van Arkel Richards
Susan Richmeier
Leona Robles
Ted Romanowski
Billie Jo Rose
Carmen Roti
Mollie Duffy Rowan
Averyanna Vera Rymus
Tommy Sacks
Regina Schoeberl (2019 Honoree)
Randy Schmitz
Glenn Schneider
Nicole Schoiber
Tammy Schweitzer
Deirdre Scott
Anthony Senerchia
Nicole Sheehan
Ron Sheets
Patti Seidelmann
Kimberly Smith
Tony Sobieszczyk
Laura Spalla
Marcia Spokas
Michael “Jel” Straube
Joe Streit
Robert Szewczyk
John Thies
Shantelle Thomas
Paul Thurn
Mya Tinajero
John Torpy
George Trejo
Freya Ness Ulwick
Valerie Wadhams
Tammy Walker
Kevin Walsh
Rita Walsh
Amy White
Leroy Wilds
Jozmon Wilson
Jessie Jonik Winkler
Amber Woodworth
Kathy Yeates
Robert Zimmerman

You have three opportunities to gather your materials!

Packet pickup will take place at the Hamilton B. Maher Community Center, situated at 3450 W. 97th St. in Evergreen Park, on these dates:

• Wednesday, September 16th from 3-7 pm

• Thursday, September 17th from 3-7 pm

• Saturday, September 19th (Race Day!) starting at 7 am and concluding promptly at 8:30 am

*If you're collecting for several individuals or an entire team, please email us at CWCRunWalk@gmail.com with the names by noon on Monday, September 14th, and our team will do its utmost to have everything prepared for you upon your arrival. This will help reduce wait times!

*Please be aware that we cannot accommodate early or late pickups outside of the specified times above, so make sure to follow the provided schedule.

*Please keep in mind that we will not distribute shirts or packets after the distribution closes on Race Day. Ensure you collect your materials during the designated schedule to avoid missing out.

*Can’t make it? No problem, you can have a family member, friend, or team member collect items on your behalf!

*If you missed online registration, don’t worry! You can register in person on all three days. Our team will accept Cash, Check made payable to Christmas Without Cancer, Zelle, and Credit Cards. Additionally, we have extra shirts available for individuals registering at packet pickup; sizes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

THIS YEAR: EXCITING INCENTIVES RETURN! 

• Start your own fundraiser with RunSignUp and earn some fantastic Christmas Without Cancer goodies!

  • Raise $250 to get an etched Yeti water bottle with our logo.

  • Raise $500 to receive both an etched Yeti water bottle with our logo AND a $50 Visa gift card.

    • Swag can be claimed at our packet pickup tables. Items will not be shipped.

    • General donations do not count for incentives; only individual and team fundraisers can qualify.

• The TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISER will win a $250 VISA Gift Card.

• The LARGEST REGISTERED TEAM will also earn a $500 VISA Gift Card. (This prize will go to the team captain, who will determine how the gift card will be used.) 

  • 2026 Largest Team: TBD -WILL IT BE YOU?

  • 2025 Largest Team: Team Tonia (116 members)

  • 2024 Largest Team: Rally4Reynolds (170 members)

  • 2023 Largest Team: Brave4Brendan (86 members)

  • 2022 Largest Team: Nick's Fight (62 members)

  • 2021 Largest Team: Amber's Army (67 members)

  • 2020 Largest Team: Team GOGO (62 members)

  • 2019 Largest Team: Team IronMatt (118 members)

• The TOP TEAM FUNDRAISER will receive a $500 VISA Gift Card. (Consider celebrating with a team lunch or dinner after the event! This prize will also go to the team captain, who will determine how the gift card will be used.)

Winners will be based on totals during our race, and they will be announced at our awards ceremony, which takes place at approximately 11:00 am on Race Day. 

AWARDS/TROPHIES

• Trophies will be awarded to the top Female and Male in these categories:

  • Overall Best

  • 1-9 years old

  • 10-19 years old

  • 20-29 years old

  • 30-39 years old

  • 40-49 years old

  • 50-59 years old, and

  • 60+

• RETURNING THIS YEAR: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pins will be awarded to finishers in each category above.  These will make a great addition to the medals provided at the finish line.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!

Dear Valued Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters,

In 2003, inspired by her work as an oncology nurse and witnessing the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, Gerri Neylon set out to alleviate those challenges for one family during the Christmas season. She shared her vision, the community responded, and thus Christmas Without Cancer (CWC) was created. Now, twenty-three years later, CWC supports local cancer patients (within a 30-mile radius of Orland Park) and their families every day of the year.

Since its founding on that memorable evening at Gerri’s kitchen table, CWC has supported thousands of friends, neighbors, and families within our community. In 2025, the vision grew stronger when CWC secured its first headquarters, aiming to enhance its impact in the community.

On a day-to-day basis, CWC provides recipients with financial grants and gift cards to help pay for living expenses like mortgages/rent, utilities, gas, tuition, groceries, medications, medical bills, and travel expenses for treatment. During the holidays, CWC provides recipients with a little extra cheer, including financial grants, gift cards, holiday gifts, holiday meals, fun family experiences, and many other surprises. 

In 2025, CWC achieved a significant milestone by assisting 475 families throughout the year and 99 families during the holiday season. This support included: 

$161,416.83 in financial grants 
$60,433.29 in gift cards 
$74,360.88 aimed at spreading holiday joy 
In total, over $300,000 was provided to our recipients, and this achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of our fundraising event sponsors.

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, CWC will kick off our 12th Annual 5K Run/Walk in Evergreen Park, IL, our largest fundraiser of the year, and we kindly request your support through a sponsorship or in-kind donation. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you for your continued friendship and partnership in the community. We hope to see you at the starting line!

Dear Valued Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters,

In 2003, inspired by her work as an oncology nurse and witnessing the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, Gerri Neylon set out to alleviate those challenges for one family during the Christmas season. She shared her vision, the community responded, and thus Christmas Without Cancer (CWC) was created. Now, twenty-three years later, CWC supports local cancer patients (within a 30-mile radius of Orland Park) and their families every day of the year.

Since its founding on that memorable evening at Gerri’s kitchen table, CWC has supported thousands of friends, neighbors, and families within our community. In 2025, the vision grew stronger when CWC secured its first headquarters, aiming to enhance its impact in the community.

On a day-to-day basis, CWC provides recipients with financial grants and gift cards to help pay for living expenses like mortgages/rent, utilities, gas, tuition, groceries, medications, medical bills, and travel expenses for treatment. During the holidays, CWC provides recipients with a little extra cheer, including financial grants, gift cards, holiday gifts, holiday meals, fun family experiences, and many other surprises. 

In 2025, CWC achieved a significant milestone by assisting 475 families throughout the year and 99 families during the holiday season. This support included: 

$161,416.83 in financial grants 
$60,433.29 in gift cards 
$74,360.88 aimed at spreading holiday joy 
In total, over $300,000 was provided to our recipients, and this achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of our fundraising event sponsors.

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, CWC will kick off our 12th Annual 5K Run/Walk in Evergreen Park, IL, our largest fundraiser of the year, and we kindly request your support through a sponsorship or in-kind donation. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you for your continued friendship and partnership in the community. We hope to see you at the starting line!