CHKD Love Run this year will honor Abby Furco, a Virginia Beach teen who battled cancer

February is the month of love, so let’s talk about two things I love. I love to run, and I love children. My two loves have been incorporated into a race called the CHKD Love Run. In its 19th year, the Love Run started in 2004 when Princess Anne High School’s SCA president was admitted to CHKD with cancer. When he was discharged from CHKD, he had the idea of starting a 5K race to show his appreciation for the hospital staff.

Each year, Princess Anne has held the race to raise money for CHKD. In 2013, Cox High School joined the fundraising efforts to dedicate the run to Jack Shumate, the son of Cox High School’s SCA advisor, who was taken too early. Since then, the run has created a tradition to honor a person or organization at the yearly event.

This year, Kellam High School has become part of the race by honoring a fallen Knight, Abby Furco. Abby was diagnosed with leukemia at age 4 and beat cancer twice after enduring years of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Her 11-year battle included many years at the hospital and long term chronic pain. Abby was a Girl Scout, an artist, chef, world traveler, sister and known as a compassionate and strong girl that was a friend to all. Sadly, she lost her battle in October 2021. This year’s Love Run is dedicated to Abby.

Patty Furco, Abby’s mom, said she loves that Kellam is participating in memory of her daughter this year.

“Knowing Abby is remembered and loved means a lot to us,” said Patty. “Abby’s friends at Kellam were her world. Some of those friendships started in preschool. Abby loved life and fought hard through cancer twice, because of them. We are thankful for those friendships and for the 15 years we had with our girl.”

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The CHKD Love Run, hosted by Princess Anne, Cox and Kellam high school, will be spreading the love on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Thalia Elementary School in memory of Abby Furco.

If you go:

What: CHKD Love Run

When: Feb. 11

Where: Thalia Elementary School, 412 Thalia Road

Time: 9 a.m. for 5K and 9:30 a.m. for mile run

Info: Bring money for vendors and raffles. Race is family, stroller, and dog friendly. New items will be collected for CHKD and their child life programs. Each item will get you a free raffle ticket. Go to http://tinyurl.com/chkdloverun23 to sign up for the race.

Lee Belote jlbelote@verizon.net