Lindsay Verdun, TSS Photography Owner of Peoria, Illinois, joined a dedicated team of runners in the St. Jude Runs – Chillicothe to Peoria Run on July 20^th, showing her commitment to raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year, Lindsay set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1,250 and managed to double it, raising a remarkable $2,525. While the entire Chillicothe team ran a total of 55.4 miles, Lindsay personally contributed by running 12 miles of this challenging journey.

“Our family has been a longtime supporter of St. Jude and St. Jude Runs, but I am so excited to be an active fundraiser and runner this year!” says Lindsay. She admired the dedication of St. Jude Runners and set a personal goal to join them as part of her health journey over the past few years. Lindsay and her husband, Steve, who is a 7th-grade teacher, have witnessed the impact of childhood cancer on their community and have seen firsthand the incredible work of St. Jude in giving children their lives back. “How fortunate we are to have the resources of St. Jude right here in Peoria.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been instrumental in increasing the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened 60 years ago. Yet, there is still much work to be done. Lindsay and the rest of the Chillicothe team’s participation in St. Jude Runs not only helps raise critical funds but also spreads awareness about the hospital’s mission: Finding cures. Saving children.

The St. Jude Chillicothe to Peoria Run is an annual charity event that has raised nearly $5 million since its inception in 2007. This year alone, the Chillicothe team raised $555,020, contributing to the over $5.9 million raised by St. Jude Runs. Representing 35 groups and towns from all over central Illinois, the event is more than just a run; it is an opportunity to contribute to St. Jude’s lifesaving mission, create lasting memories, and form bonds with fellow runners. Every participant, donor, and supporter plays a crucial role in advancing the treatments and research at St. Jude.

Support Lindsay and her efforts by donating on her fundraising page here: http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/LVerdun. Her journey from Chillicothe to Peoria symbolized the collective effort needed to combat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. By supporting St. Jude Runs, you too can be part of this incredible mission to find cures and save children everywhere.

A special thank you to Lindsay’s fellow TSS franchisees, who generously supported her fundraising efforts, demonstrating the strong community spirit within the TSS family.

For more information about St. Jude Runs and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.stjuderuns.org/contact.

Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your support!