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Run benefits third-grader
Event is Oct. 11
lily2
Lily Anderson
If you're going
Lily's Run is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at Vickery Village on Post Road. Registration is $25 and runners are included in a raffle. Additional tickets may be purchased at the event. To register, go online at www.active.com and search for Lily's Run. Can't make the run but want to help? Donations can be made at www.active.com/donate/lilyanderson.

A run to support a Forsyth County family whose young daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer will be Oct. 11.

Lily Anderson, 8, is undergoing treatments for Stage IV neuroblastoma at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital.

Jennifer Anderson, her mother, said the Vickery Creek Elementary third-grader was diagnosed Sept. 6 with the tumor, which is behind her liver in her stomach.  

"She had her first round of chemo a week and a half ago and Oct. 5, she starts her second round," said Jennifer Anderson.

Lily also underwent a surgery to remove part of the tumor and will have to endure about four rounds of chemotherapy, another surgery and stem cell and antibody treatments.

"Everything's probably going to take around two years," her mother said.

In hopes of supporting the family financially, friends have put together Lily's Run.

Organizer Kevin Reed said the event, set for 1p.m. Oct. 11 at Vickery Village, will include a 5K run and 1-mile "fun run," as well as numerous post race activities.

"The restaurants in Vickery [Village] are helping out," Reed said. "We'll have the Braves mascot there, face painting, balloons, a pumpkin patch where people can come and get their Halloween pumpkins and a bunch of other fun stuff.

"There's really going to be something for everyone. Even if someone can't run, we hope they come out and enjoy all the other things we'll have. We want this to be like a fun fall festival."

Reed added that he and other friends of the Anderson family hope to make Lily's Run an annual event.

"Even when [the Anderson's] fight is over with, we want to set up a fund in Lily's honor to help other families who might be going through the same thing," he said.

So far, some 200 people have registered for the run.

"If we don't get anyone else, we'll be thrilled," Reed said. "But we're hoping to get around 300."

Jennifer Anderson said the family has been blown away by the the community's support.

"It's completely overwhelming, the number of friends and family and love that have come out of this," she said. "We feel like Lily has many more friends than her dad and I have ... it's been incredible."