Cowabunga 5K: Race for a cause

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Kenda Steel-Girod's son, Gregory, died from Leukemia 20 years ago at just 6 years old.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -

The Cowabunga 5K is a race on June 18 in Cape Girardeau with a very special cause.

Organizer, Kenda Steel-Girod lost both her son and her husband to cancer. Her son, Gregory, died from Leukemia 20 years ago next week at just 6 years old. Her husband, Jeff, later lost a battle with brain cancer. Steel-Girod said that's why this race and even it's name, "Cowabunga," mean so much to her and her family.

"We took him (Gregory) to Disney World on a Make a Wish trip back in 1991," Steel-Girod said. "He loved the Ninja turtles and being that it's such a big anniversary I wanted to do something special," she added.

"My husband died three years later from brain cancer so I wanted to honor them both. I thought this would be the perfect thing."

The Cowabunga 5K is June 18. The race starts Saturday morning at the Show-Me Center at 8 a.m. Registration is $30. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The American Brain Tumor Association. Runners and walkers can sign up on race morning, just make sure to arrive early. Everyone who runs or walks will get a T-shirt.

Steel-Girod also needs volunteers.

If you'd like to volunteer in the Cowabunga 5K you can e-mail Steel-Girod at: cowabunga5k@gmail.com.

Cowabunga 5K: Race for a cause - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Cowabunga 5K: Race for a cause

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