Running events have become a common way for organizations to raise money and awareness for various causes. With organizations hosting events across the nation, students have been able to make an impact and participate in charity events over the summer. Senior Connor Peak said he runs both for the experience and the ability to benefit a charity.

“Normally I run with my family in these charity events just because it brings us together and it feels good to share the experience with them,” Peak said.

Beginning in seventh grade, Peak said he has enjoyed running for a cause as well as participating on the cross country and track teams. Though he hasn’t run in any events this summer, he plans to participate in more events in the future.

“There’s no particular cause that I run for,” Peak said. “I think it’s best not to limit myself to just one because all of the charities could use the money. But I would like to run in more events that help veterans and members of the armed forces because they deserve the appreciation and aid for all they’ve done.”

Junior Olivia Briney said she began running to get in shape for volleyball and has continued to participate in running events.

“I did the Color Run earlier this summer,” Briney said. “I’m [also] doing the Bubble Run and the Blacklight Run.”

Briney said she is involved in events that raise money and awareness for various organizations.

“The [runs] from my mom’s work are connected to a charity,” Briney said. “The other runs are kind of just for fun. They donate to the inner city.”

Briney said she plans to continue to be involved with charity running events in the future.

Though Briney and Peak both participate in running events for charity outside of school, students are also given opportunities throughout the academic year to participate in events through Southwest. Multiple clubs and teams support Braden’s Hope, an organization that hosts events like a Mile and 5K run to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. Deliece Hofen began the organization following her son Braden Hofen’s cancer diagnosis and realization that not enough efforts to benefit children affected by the disease were being made.

“Braden was diagnosed with cancer when he was 3 and he was given a 30 percent chance of five-year survival,” Hofen said. “His cancer came back when he was 5 and there was no known cure. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and there were all these treatments for me, but there was nothing for Braden. I started researching why there was such a big discrepancy and that’s when I found out how overlooked and underfunded childhood cancers are.”

This discrepancy not only affects the researching of various treatments, but the overall lack of understanding how cancer presents itself in children.

“People need to understand that it can happen to kids and catch this diagnosis earlier,” Hofen said. “We’re not catching the diseases at early enough stages.”

Because it is so common that cancer in children is found in later stages, charities and organizations like Braden’s Hope help bring light to the subject and make people aware. Hofen said raising awareness is a major part of finding cures and supporting children who face the disease.

“The way it benefits the kids with cancer is that every time I get to tell the story about one of our kids, it raises awareness,” Hofen said.

Hofen said volunteers are needed to hold these events and there are many ways for students to get involved and help this cause. This involvement may look different for each individual, but Hofen said she urges students to select organizations that carry personal meaning for them.

“I would say my advice to them is to pick something that’s really meaningful.” Hofen said. “It doesn’t have to be a monetary difference that you make, it can be just a heartfelt difference. Find something important to you that you really have a commitment to.”