Emma joins “Super Six” to start Run to Fight Children’s Cancer

Run to Fight Children's Cancer
Emma Kerr (11), and her mom, Ildi, at their Phoenix home. Photo by Tac Coluccio.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Eleven-year old Emma Kerr, of Phoenix, proudly wears the words of Christopher Robin of Winnie the Pooh fame on her T-shirt. “It’s a good reminder,” says her mom, Ildi Kerr. They are words meant to impart strength to Emma, who is currently battling cancer.

It’s only fitting that this young warrior has been chosen to lead the sixth annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer event on Saturday, March 12. Before she became the “super sixth,” there was last year’s “Fab Five.” Each year, the race is started by another child battling cancer.

The struggles of this year’s “Super Six” race starters—six special youngsters who are beating the cancer odds—and those of other children are the focus of the annual run sponsored by the Children’s Cancer Network, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Grand Canyon University (GCU).

Run to Fight Children's Cancer
Emma Kerr will join last year’s Fab Five race starters to make up this year’s Super Six. Clockwise from bottom center: Mia Bryant (8), of Chandler (2015); Grace Kostyk (10), of Phoenix (2012); Cooper Gokee (12), of Maricopa (2013); Jack Welch (8), of Chandler (2014) and Olivia Baumgardner (8), of Phoenix (2011). Photo courtesy of Children’s Cancer Network.

Emma’s addition to the team as the sixth race starter for 2016 has brought the family a sense of excitement. “It’s a positive thing to look forward to. When you are this sick and you’ve been dealing with this much, you need those kind of moments—not just hope, but inspiration—and it really is providing us with that,” says Ildi.

The race starters don’t just share the cancer fight with Emma and her family; they are also part of a support system that the Kerrs call the “six degrees of separation of the Children’s Cancer Network.”

Families helping families

When Emma was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood, in November 2014, Ildi was in shock. But families who had been through similar ordeals, including one of the previous race starter’s families, immediately reached out to the Kerrs and encouraged them to contact the Children’s Cancer Network. All of the race starters’ families have shared their stories and helped the Kerrs navigate the journey since Emma was diagnosed.

Since that diagnosis, Emma has spent a great deal of time in and out of the hospital. Her latest battle—with Valley fever and pneumonia because of her weakened immune system—has left her wheelchair bound. Emma says she plans to be at the race, whether she can walk a part of it or not. Even at this young age, she recognizes what the Network has done for her family and others.

“The families are struggling. [The Children’s Cancer Network] helps so many kids to be happy,” says Emma. “They helped me a lot. First they helped me get a wig to wear, because I don’t like having no hair and I don’t think any girl likes having a bald head.” 

Emma, who helped raise money for the Children’s Cancer Network on her own with the sale of T-shirts, says that from education to medical expenses, the group is there to help.

Children’s cancer rates in the U.S.

Each year in the U.S., 18,000 children from birth to age 19 are diagnosed with cancer. The cure rates for some pediatric cancers remain below 50 percent. Fortunately for Emma, her prognosis is good; her doctors say her cancer is curable.

GCU hosted the inaugural race in 2011. To date, close to 13,000 people have taken part in the event and raised nearly $400,000 for pediatric cancer research and care.

This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than ever, with an estimated 3,000 participants, plus spectators and childhood-cancer survivors. Team Emma is growing daily, with dozens of family members and friends planning to take part in one of three different races that will be held on the GCU campus.

When talking about the race, Emma’s spirit and optimistic attitude shine through. “Not everybody gets to blow the horn; not every cancer patient will blow the horn,” says Emma. “I feel lucky to be picked, so it’s kind of a once in a lifetime thing.”

Run to Fight Children's Cancer
Medals for runners and walkers in last year’s event. Photo: Facebook.com/Grand Canyon University.

Join the cause—run or walk!

  • Time/date: 5:30am registration starts; 7am 10K starts; 7:45am 5K starts; 9am Cancer Survivors’ Walk starts, Saturday March 12
  • Location: Grand Canyon University, 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix
  • Registration cost: $35 5K, $45 10K
  • Contact: 602-639-8170 or runtofightcancer.com