Kye's hero is Batman. Many may remember the energetic 7-year-old as the young leukemia patient who dressed as Batman and helped the Arlington Police Department "fight crime" in April 2012. His dream to become a hero made international news.
A year and a half later, Kye sketched Superman for a group of people making the rounds of Cook Children's, Medical City Dallas and Children's Medical Center. They chose his design as the logo for this year's Honored Hero Run, along with a T-shirt design by cancer patient Gabriella, 5, and sponsor art by Xavier, 13.
Kye still loves his superheroes, but on Oct. 20, approximately 1,500 people will run for a new group of heroes – children, like Kye, who are battling blood cancer.
Five years ago, a group of friends from the Team in Training (teamintraining.org) program with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society got together to do something more. They decided on holding a simple race to honor the greatest heroes: children beating cancer.
The first year, the team recruited 353 participants and wrote a $3,000 check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The next few years, the numbers kept climbing – surpassing $10,000 and then $20,000. In total, the Honored Hero Run gave $60,000 in its first four years.
Armstrong said the family-friendly event caters to everyone from walkers to intense athletes with a variety of route options. The run will include fun events for children, including face painting, a kiddie run and plenty of food, but aims to keep the focus on the task at hand: donating funds to find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma.
Children currently going through treatment are invited out to the event, too.
"A lot of these kids are going through treatment or in the hospital," Armstrong said.
"It really tugs at your heartstrings," board member Dianna Fuller Bryan said.
Race Day Information
The fifth annual Honored Hero Run will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20, at staggered times throughout the morning. The race route hugs the Trinity River, giving runners a skyline view on a fairly flat, bike- and runner-friendly trail to follow.
Race routes range from the amateur's doable 5K and 10K up to the serious athlete's half marathon and 20-mile challenge. A 1K Kids' Fun Run caters to younger supporters interested in helping child heroes. Runners and walkers alike are invited to participate. Board member Manuel Rodriguez said the Honored Hero Run is always looking for volunteers and encouraged everyone to sign up to be a bone marrow donor. For more information, to register or to volunteer, visit
honoredherorun.com
