Journey For Jack...

• 5K Run:- Run 3.1 Miles

Thank you for your support for Jack Smith! He is a precious 13 year old with a determination like no other! In May of 2015, Jack had a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy to release spasticity in his legs. After a LONG 2 months and one week after surgery, he graduated from he Day Rehab program at CHOA. Jack fought so hard to overcome so many obstacles and has a high pain tolerance so when he started complaining of back pain and beginning to fall on Father's Day this year, his parents became concerned and took him to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and he was admitted. 2 MRIs later, Jack was found to have 10 tumors in his spinal column as well as a 1/2 fist sized tumor in his brain. 8 hours of surgery later, 80% of this ugly tumor was removed. On July 1st, Jack underwent another multi-hour surgery to remove the largest of the tumors in his spinal column and a portion of a smaller one. When his parents finally got the pathology report of his brain tumor, they shared this information: " Jacks tumor is a high grade glioma, with homozygous loss of the gene that encodes the p16 protein, CDKN2A and he also has BRAF-V600E mutation. With that being said Jack having the p16 and CDKN2A are associated with poor outcomes in pediatric gliomas. It was strongly suggested to us to bypass radiation and chemotherapy. Also, Jack would need a large amount of radiation to the brain and that is never good.

Now to the better news. There is a medication Jack can take twice per day that specifically attacks the BRAF-V600E. We would need that BRAF to be in the grade 3 parts of the tumor and not the grade 2. If the BRAF is in the grade 3 the hope would be for the tumors to shrink, if it's in the grade 2 other options would have to be looked into because the grade 3 would still be growing."

Jack's insurance has just approved this medication and we are PRAYING that it works. The hope is that it slows or stops the growth of the tumors. It will not cure the cancer. He is such a strong fighter but he needs our help. We would love to have your support in our Journey For Jack 5K being held on September 3rd in the Eagle's Brooke Subdivision of Locust Grove. You can even choose to be a phantom runner and support Jack and his family by signing up and getting a t-shirt and goody bag. If you would prefer to donate, we have a separate account for donations as well without any fees taken out. Please contact me directly. Thank you for all of your support. TEAM JACK!

Event details and schedule

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Eagle's Brooke Country Club

Locust Grove, GA  30248

Join us for a family 5K run/walk benefiting our friend Jack Smith through the beautiful Eagle's Brooke Golf and Country Club.

Early packet pickup will be available on Friday, September 2, 5:00-7:00pm. 

Runner check-in begins at 7:00am with a run start time of 8:00am. 

This is not an officially timed race; medals awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all age groups.