A Plug for the Watsontown JesVic 5K

I fully disclaim that I am taking advantage of my assistantship here at the School of Public Health to create a plug for an event that is very near and dear to my heart.

It's the JesVic 5K, and next Saturday, June 5 the fourth annual will be occurring in my hometown of Watsontown, Pa. In 2007, my friend Suzie and I created this event in honor of her sister, Jessica Wade, and another loved woman from our community, Vicki Hitesman. Both passed away within a year of each other from cancer.

"A beautiful young lady with bright blue eyes and a smile that drew you into her beauty," writes Jessica's mother, Sue Wade on the event Web site. "She had big dreams, a creative soul, and cared so deeply. Often she wanted more from life than I could give her. An athlete and an artist, very into health and body image."

"We celebrated 25 years of marriage on June 27, 2006 with no fanfare thinking that we would have more and more anniversaries," writes Paul Hitesman about his wife, Vicki. "In July 2006 she started to feel drained and had respiratory problems. After a wide variety of tests, a small solid tumor was found on her lung. She never smoked... Vicki died after 2 months of illness. She was the most bravest and most courageous person that I have ever known."

Every year, we remember all those in Watsontown we have lost to cancer, and other disease. With an army of support, JesVic has raised over $18,000 in three years, all of which benefits local families facing disease and struggling with medical bills.

The race and walk is made possible through sponsorship from dozens of local businesses (many of them Mom & Pop Shops); about 30 hardworking volunteers; the local borough, township and school district; the Watsontown Area Business Association; State Farm Insurance; the Warrior Run Area Fire and Watsontown Boro Police departments; and hundreds of runners, walkers and spectators.


It's a drive to get out there, but I'd like to personally (as personal as a blog can be) invite you all to come on out and race or walk. You can find a registration form here, as well as a link to register online (for an additional $3.) If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Suzie and me at jesvic5k@gmail.org.

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