15th Annual David Vidal 5k Road Race is Sunday

The 15th Annual David Vidal 5k Road Race, hosted by the Simsbury Police Department to Benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 at 11 a.m.

The race starts and ends on Iron Horse Boulevard behind Valley Home & Garden, 16 Railroad St, Simsbury Flat, scenic 5k loop along the Farmington River

David Vidal was a member of the Simsbury Police Department from January 1997 until January 1999. Prior to joining our department, David was an officer in East Hartford and Montville, and he also worked for the Department of Environmental Protection. David held a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science, and was an avid runner.

In March 1998, David was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a pediatric cancer. After a courageous battle, David lost his fight on January 14, 1999. Towards the end of his fight, David’s focus shifted to how he could help others survive pediatric cancers. He insisted that the funds raised for his treatment be donated instead to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to further the efforts to treat and find a cure for these cancers. We are proud to continue his efforts with this annual run, as a tribute to David’s courage and spirit of selflessness. On David’s behalf, we donate all proceeds of this event to St. Jude.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay.

For more info please contact: Johanna Camacho or Dan Thibault at the Simsbury Police Dept (860) 658-3100.

Submitted release