I have to thank David Kearney, retired principal, for connecting me with the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run and Tom Coones. For nearly 10 years, These two entities – Alison’s Allies and the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run - have been linked as we both continue to fight cancer and support cancer victims.  

History of Jared Coones Pumpkin Run: 

Jared was ten years old when he passed away on October 5, 1998 after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. Jayne, Jared’s mom, passed away on December 17, 2006 after a difficult fight with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Out of this tragedy was born the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run which starts and finishes at Black Bob Elementary School where Jared attended.  The annual event is a concrete way for Tom [father of Jared and husband of Jayne] and the children, Meghan and John, to honor Jared and Jayne. In 2021 over 2,000 participated in this wonderful event! 

The Jared Coones Pumpkin Run event is committed to remembering Jared and Jayne and what they both stood for and what is important in life…love, faith, strength and courage.

The mission of the event is:  *To honor the lives of Jared and Jayne Coones - *To create an event that celebrates family and community - *To raise funds for research and organizations that support cancer patients and their families

Through this fundraising event, nearly $1 Million Dollars has been raised! Seven (7) charities are beneficiaries of the funds, including Alison’s Allies!

Connection with Alison’s Allies:

Tom Coones and his family are often seen at the walk/run course sporting an Alison’s Allies shirt.  You can also see Alison joining in the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run event.  In 2011, Alison was honored to receive the Jayne Coones Hope Award from the Pumpkin Run. This award is given to individuals who have taken their cancer diagnosis and used it to help others. What an honor! While Alison did not know Jared or Jayne personally, she is connected in spirit through Tom and his family.  Alison considers this a ‘God connection’!

Pumpkin Run Funds Support Alison’s Allies:

In honor of Jayne, Jared’s mom, funds are donated annually to breast cancer charities. $22,000 has been donated to Susan G. Komen, often through Alison’s Allies, in previous years.  In 2021, a portion of the funds raised in the Pumpkin Run went to Alison’s Allies local breast cancer health equity initiative, supported by the KU Cancer Center and the Masonic Cancer Alliance.  Alison’s Allies supports breast cancer screening, health equity, care, & research. Funds are 100% tax-deductible through the https://www.KUEndowment.org/AlisonsAllies. 

Get involved with the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run! Visit the www.pumpkinrunwalk.org website to get involved with this amazing event. You too can make a difference and impact the future!