PEPRALLY AND 5KRUN RALLYING IN SUPPORT OF CANCER RESEARCH

The 15th year of the Kick Cancer Pep Rally & 5k Run, formerly the Wilenchik Walk for Life, brought an unprecedented number of participants this year in support of cancer research programs at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The event began in 2009 in honor of the former Schertz city councilmember, Tony Wilenchik, who battled a rare form of stage-4 Leiomyosarcoma cancer. His steadfast fight against the disease moved the city to continue this annual fundraising event benefitting cancer research programs, leading to over $203,000 of total donations towards the cause.

This year brought 560 registered participants for the 5k and 74 registrants for the 1k which looped around Pickrell Park. SCUCISD rallied an enormous support with 435 of the registrants being affiliated with the district and the Paschal Patriots team bringing out the largest group with 136 runners!

The Steele Drumline, Clemens Cheer, and Chrissy Rae’s Dance Academy rallied the race energy while Orange Theory led a group warm up before the run. H-E-B served as the event’s major sponsor, bringing along both the race snacks and hydration and H-E-Buddy to share the fun. Additional sponsors for the official race t-shirts included Schertz Bank & Trust, SAMCO Capital, GVEC, Floor Coverings International, Schertz Cibolo Emergency Clinic, Kiddie Academy, Nathan Obregon with State Farm, ReMax Corridor, iCode, and QC Kinetix.

Over $10,000 was raised at this year’s event for the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center to aid in their research and it could not have been done without the unwavering support of the community members and sponsors – thank you!