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By Wanda Mitchell/The Greenville Advocate

State Farm Insurance’s Abbie Gardner Ballew is back at it again helping lead the local race to raise funds for children stricken with cancer. The 7th Annual My Cancer Hero 5K Race is set for Saturday, April 2. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race will kick off at 8 a.m. from the Fort Dale Academy football field and wrap up at the same location. The My Cancer Hero Race is the brainchild of Ballew, whose parents both were diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, her father died from the disease.

“I decided to do this when my dad passed away from cancer,” Ballew said. “My mom is also a breast cancer survivor.”

This year the race will honor the memory of Sawyer Clark, a six-year-old from Enterprise. Clark, who, along with his family, received a special wish to visit Disney World from the Give Kids the World organization in Kissimmee, Florida. The organization was founded in 1986 by Henri Landwirth. It grants wishes to children who are ill with life threatening diseases. Their motto at Give Kids the World is, “Where Happiness Inspires Hope.” Ballew said all money from the race would go to Give Kids the World to help them continue to grant wishes.

Ballew is inviting groups to set up booths at the event and promote their businesses while providing water or treats for runners. Anyone interested in setting up a booth can come down to the football field, she said. There is no charge for a booth, but businesses may donate if they choose.

“We will be out there Saturday starting bright and early,” Ballew said.

The event will take place rain or shine, so grab your running shoes and join in for a great cause and lots of fun.

More information about the event can be found at https://www.raceentry.com/my-cancer-hero-5k/race-information. If you are interested in signing up, call Ballew at 334-382-6561 or email her at abbie@agentabbie.com to request a race form.