Welcome to the fundraising page for our team, 4R Kids! We've decided to participate in this challenge to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. HERE'S THE STORY... Back in April, my sweet niece Makenna, who is a very normal and healthy 9 year old had just gotten over the flu. While at her sick visit for the flu symptoms, the doctor noticed there was an unusual swelling in her abdomen. Once it was noticed to not have dissipated with the other flu symptoms, tests followed. Within 2 days it was determined that Makenna had a malignant tumor growing out of her kidney. More tests that followed delivered a diagnosis that Makenna has Wilms' tumor. It is the most common cancer of the kidney's in children. Since then, Makenna has been through chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, blood transfusions, feeding tubes and many other tests/procedures, but she still has a long journey ahead. This is our driving force behind raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. $400 funds 1 day of cancer research.  As a parent who has a child with cancer, you truly experience the phrase "one day at a time".  We would love to fund as many days as possible, but at minimum, one day that would give a child with cancer one better day than the one they had before.  WHAT IS 4R KIDS AND WHY ARE WE WALKING? 4R Kids is our team name. We chose this because we're not just walking for Makenna, but for all kids. Kids who have cancer, kids who beat cancer. Kids who go to sleep tonight seeming perfectly normal and wake up tomorrow with a diagnosis like this one. Makenna's story obviously hits very close to home. She is my family, my blood. This could be one of my kids someday. One of yours. I've always thanked God for having overall healthy children myself. I've made trips to A.I. Dupont for ear tubes and allergies and seen how sick some of the kids who frequent there really are. It always hurts my heart, thinking of all that those children and their parents endure. But now this diagnosis hits one of my own family members and I'm seeing first hand the effect it has on them. Now more than ever before, I am very grateful for the gift of life that we are given every day. The amount of strength and determination that Makenna and her family must give every day to fight this disease is overwhelming. So many have asked, "What can we do?", "What do they need?". The unfortunate answer is that there isn't much anyone else can do, especially those at a distance like me. We continue to pray for Makenna daily. We pray for her Dad, who is my brother, Rich, his wife Michelle and Makenna's siblings, Kaden and Kayla. We pray for healing, we pray for strength, we pray for peace. Although I have a strong faith in God and the power of prayer, no matter how much we do, I honestly feel like it would never be enough support to my hurting family, but that doesn't mean that I won't try and give everything I can. SO WHY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MILLION MILE CHALLENGE?  As Alex's Lemonade Stand describes it, a parent of a child with cancer would go that far (and then some) to find a cure. I would walk to the moon and back if it meant having this burden lifted from my niece, my brother and his family. The funds this organization has raised has directly paved the way for Makenna and so many other children so they can win their battle with pediatric cancer. My walking is my support for my family. For them to know that they do not have to walk through this alone. My walking is my way to spread awareness. Awareness of the reality of pediatric cancer, but most of all of Alex's Lemonade Stand who fights for a cure every day. Alex was a beautiful, strong little girl, just like my niece Makenna. Alex provided an inspiration to us all that one person truly can change the world. My walking is also for me and an example to my kids. Being healthy is a gift that I won't take for granted. I will walk and work hard for my own health and for the health of my kids because I may not be granted that same gift to us all tomorrow. So I will do my part. I invite you all to join this challenge and/or to donate for the same reasons or others that you may share! Makenna and her twin brother Kaden are celebrating their 10th birthday this month which is why this event seemed so timely.  Events and neighborhood walks will follow throughout the month and be announced for all who can join us! We can not thank you enough for all of your love, thoughts and prayers for Makenna and our family!