Against the backdrop of Lake Katherine’s trails and tall grasses, neighbors gathered for a morning of sweat, laughter and hope. They pedaled, stretched, danced and ran, all united by a single purpose: to fight breast cancer.
In its 4th year, Palos Goes Pink returned Saturday, Oct. 5, to Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive. The event showcased six workouts led by local studios and raised money for metastatic breast cancer research at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The fundraiser began as a simple idea to blend fitness with giving. For co-founder Megan Wenstrup, owner of Heights Cycle in La Grange, it grew into a mission with urgency and hope.
“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime,” Wenstrup said. “This disease is pervasive, relentless and destructive. Since it’s primarily diagnosed in women, it also has a strong impact on families. However, of all the causes I have learned about and supported, this is one that has so much hope attached. The leading researchers say they can cure this disease in our lifetime. All it will take is money to fund the research.”
Participants cycled with Heights Cycle, stretched with the Do Good Movement, lifted with Chulo Fit, flowed with Clearly Pilates, danced with Moraine Valley FitRec and ran or walked with Run to the Pub.
Organizers capped registrations at 125 and expected as many as 175 people to take part once sponsors and vendors were included.
“We love that this event highlights incredible local businesses in Palos Heights and the surrounding area,” Wenstrup said. “I love that we are working together for something greater than ourselves, and something that impacts so many people.”
Vendors and sponsors added to the energy with raffles, games and resources. Oranges Pancakes and Clean Eatz in Orland Park joined as Champion sponsors, alongside several others.
The money raised from the event went to Rush University Medical Center for metastatic breast cancer research. Wenstrup said the cause was personal because Heights Cycle studio manager Jackie Seiner lives with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her brain.
“With the incredible efforts of this specific team of doctors, Jackie has defied all odds,” Wenstrup said. “We need to keep it that way. We were really hoping to raise $20,000 this year. It was a huge goal.”
Registration included the workout, a T-shirt and entry to a pre-party at Durbin’s in Harmony Square in Tinley Park on Thursday, Oct. 2. That evening featured packet pickup, appetizers, raffles and live music.
Seiner, a Palos Heights resident, is raising nearly 4-year-old twins with her husband, a local elementary teacher. Despite chemotherapy treatments every third Thursday, Wenstrup said Seiner never missed work.
“At the end of the day, Jackie is our inspiration and our why,” Wenstrup said.
And Seiner remains incredibly grateful.
“This day is amazing,” she said. “I love seeing everyone out rallying together.”
