CEDAR CITY – The Alex Bagley Memorial 5k and Fun Run for charity will kick off in Bicentennial Park on Oct. 29.

Katie Bagley, the run’s organizer, said that the race is named in honor of her son who passed away in 2010. Alex Bagley had suffered from a debilitating heart condition that claimed the six-year-old boy’s life.

While Alex was in the hospital, Bagley related how her husband took three weeks off work to be with the family. She said having her husband around was a great blessing. There were some financial repercussions caused by Bagley’s husband being away from work for so long, but she said things weren’t as bad as they could have been.

However, Bagley noted that many families are not so fortunate. With a sick child getting treatment at a hospital, particularly a hospital that could be hundreds of miles away, the financial impact can be tremendous. In some cases, Bagley said, the toll of medical care and additional expenses can cost a family their home.

“We want to make it so they [the families] still have a home to go home to,” Bagley said.

Money raised by the 5k run will go to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City with the express purpose of going to families that find themselves in this situation.

Items such as gas, meals and living expenses are to be covered by the Alex Bagley Memorial Fund. With these expenses met, Bagley said that the families could focus more on their hospitalized child rather than stressing over money during an already emotionally taxing situation.

The Alex Bagley Memorial 5k Charity Run will start at 12 p.m. at the Bicentennial Park in Cedar City on Oct. 29, 2011.

Wearing costumes during the run is encouraged, but not required. Registration closes on Oct. 27. Registration fees for individuals and families are $35.

Additional information can be found on Active.com.

For people who wish to only donate apart from participating in the 5K fundraiser, please visit the In Honor of Alex website.

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