Jesse McLean 5K Run/Walk

The Jesse McLean 5K Run/Walk for Kids Kicking Cancer Canada was established in honour of a remarkable little boy named Jesse McLean. Jesse was only 11 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumours (PNETS) on May 12, 1995. During Jesse’s treatment, he spent time at Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick, and he befriended an 11 year old child with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Jesse would often visit his new friend who was living down the hallway from him in the hospital, and despite being a child himself, he often helped her prepare for her upcoming treatments. After enduring approximately 20 months of an aggressive cancer treatment, Jesse died from his disease on January 15, 1997, at the young age of 13. Jesse’s untimely death was a tragedy to all who knew and loved him.

We are hoping that this event will bring people together in person and virtually to remember Jesse and to support an essential program offered to children who are suffering from an illness. Kids Kicking Cancer, Hero’s Circle Canada, merges modern integrative medicine with traditional martial arts therapy to help children who are suffering. Kids Kicking Cancer’s Heroes Circle program addresses the overwhelming needs of children with an illness. Specially trained black belt martial artists teach breathing, visualization, and relaxation techniques, in addition to traditional martial arts moves, and it helps empower children and provide them with a sense of power, peace, and purpose.

Jesse’s ability to help other young children during his own difficult cancer treatment is a true testament to how thoughtful, generous, mature, and kind Jesse was. Kids Kicking Cancer Canada unfortunately did not exist when Jesse was ill. We think Jesse would be happy to know that a program like Kids Kicking Cancer Canada is now available, free of charge, to families with children who are suffering.

The cost to register for the 5K is by donation only. This virtual 5K walk/run will begin Saturday, September 23rd and will end on Saturday, October 7th. You will have two weeks to run, walk, ride or move a 5K. Participants will be responsible for securing a 5 kilometre route and for timing their own run or walk. You are welcome to participate with a team or on your own. Your results can be uploaded to this website and you can share your story, photos and more.

So please join us this fall in remembering a wonderful little boy, Jesse McLean, and get active, have fun, and support a vital program that is helping hundreds of children across Canada.

If you cannot participate, there is an option to give a donation.