In training for a cure

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Jennifer Carnes of Downers Grove, right and Paulette Grassel of Aurora high five with supporters lining the warning track during a lap of Elfstrom Stadium as part of the Relay for Life fundraiser. Carnes raised over $8,000 for Team Beat It, which was organized in honor of her mother Jean Benson, who is a cancer survivor. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 23, 2012 8:02AM

Jaimie Schulte says she had never even run a mile when she decided to compete in a half-marathon two years ago. But her motivation to raise funds for the American Cancer Society propelled her, and this year the Elgin mother of two plans to run a full marathon in the organization’s DetermiNation program. Enrollment is open now, and the next race event is set for Sunday, March 25, in Chicago.

“I’ve lost a grandfather, aunts, co-workers, and friends to cancer,” said Schulte. “I was getting kind of depressed after losing five people (to cancer) in one year.”

Her new focus on cancer research fundraising replaced that emotion with something productive, she continued.

The ACS partners with established races throughout the area, so runners can select an event that meets their schedules and fitness levels. Participants pay their own registration fees and then donate monetary contributions to ACS. The March 25 8K Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, and Chicago Marathon, are the main race events, and Memorial Day Weekend’s Sweet Feet is another option.

“We’re doing something positive, running in honor of people,” said Schulte, whose efforts raised $3,300 last year. For her 30th birthday, she asked friends to contribute to her fundraising efforts. To condition, she pushed her two children in a double stroller as she ran through her neighborhood.

Michelle Moore, director for DetermiNation with the American Cancer Society, said the cause attracts people of all athletic abilities.

“We offer training opportunities,” said Moore. “We put complete faith in these coaches. They get our participants ready from day one.”

In addition to matching participants with trainers, each runner gets a mentor, too. Volunteers who’ve run the race and been successful in their fundraising goals lend advice along the way.

“We provide participants with their own personal fundraising website and free trainer,” Moore said. “And what they’ll do for us is help raise these critical funds.”

Averaging $1,500 per participant, monies are garnered through fundraising parties at the runners’ homes, or by collecting at work, Moore said.

ACS has a half-marathon is set for July 22.

“That’s a 10-mile race, and you don’t really find many of those in the area,” Moore said. “But it’s a very achievable distance.”

Schulte, who said she just learned her newborn cousin has stage-three cancer, describes the challenges of the race experience as a reminder of the battle those with cancer face. “For me, it’s the finish line,” she said. “For them, it’s a cure.”

For more, visit www.acsdetermination.org.