Proceeds from 5K run/walk support asthma awareness

5K run walk

Seventy-five runners and walkers participated in the inaugural Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K
Run/Walk Sept. 27 at Northwest Missouri State University. Sponsors included Phi Mu,
the Northwest Alumni Association and St. Francis Hospital and Health Services.

Organizers of the first Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Run/Walk in Maryville voiced satisfaction with the turnout and support shown at the event, which took place Sept. 27 on the Northwest campus. They also set Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, as the date for next year’s event.

The inaugural event attracted 75 participants and raised more than $2,000, all of which was donated to Children’s Mercy Hospital for asthma awareness and education initiatives.

Sponsors of this year’s Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Run/Walk were St. Francis Hospital and Health Services, the Northwest Missouri State University Alumni Association and Phi Mu’s Zeta Lambda Chapter. All race participants received T-shirts, and raffle prizes were provided by local businesses. In addition, representatives from Children’s Mercy Hospital, St. Francis and the Environmental Protection Agency were present to provide information about asthma.

Jennifer Shaw Suhr, a member of Phi Mu sorority who graduated from Northwest in 1992, died following an asthma attack in 2000. At the time of her death, she left behind a husband, Troy, also a Northwest graduate, and 2-year-old son Wyatt. Troy and Wyatt officially started the runners as the event began and were joined during the day by many of Jennifer’s friends and family.

“Our family was overwhelmed with the local support we received,” said Julie Shaw, Jennifer’s sister-in-law and one of the run/walk’s organizers. “This event was about paying tribute to Jennifer’s memory while raising money and awareness of asthma. Both goals were accomplished, and we want to thank everyone involved. We are inspired and ready for next year.”

For more information about the Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Run/Walk, or to make a donation or volunteer for next year’s event, call Tim Shaw at 816.806.9840 or e-mail tim.shaw@haldex.com. Inquiries made also be made to Mitzi Lutz at 660.582.2867 or mitzi@nwmissouri.edu.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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