Video: Third Annual Emily's Rainbow Run Is Another Success

Runners took their mark at for Sunday morning to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.

Emily's Rainbow Run was founded in 2009 to show support for 12-year-old Emily Lewis, who was fighting pediatric kidney cancer. Emily died in 2009, but the race continues on in her honor.

Between the 4-mile run, the 2-mile run/walk and the kids run, over 860 runners registered and over 100 volunteers donated their time.

"It was a fun-filled event!" said race coordinator Debbie Lewis, Emily's mother. "We had increased sponsorship and a great amount of community support! We are busily totalling up our race entry fees, donations and sponsorships and we expect to be able to donate at least $20,000 this year to pediatric cancer research at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital."

Before the runners took of, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital awarded the Emily Lewis Youth in Philanthropy Award to 12-year-old Andy Liauw. The honor is given annually to a young person with Emily's "enthusiasm, spirit and zest for life in philanthropic support of Rainbow's children," Lewis said.

Andy is a cancer survivor who inspired and organized her Girl Scout troop to collect presents for hospital patients during the holidays.

The Westlake Kiwanis held a packed pancake breakfast in conjunction with the race in the school cafeteria to help fund their projects.

Donations for Emily's Rainbow Fund are still being accepted either on-line using active.com, or by mail to Emily’s Rainbow Fund, P.O. Box 451194, Westlake, OH  44145.  Visit the organization's website  for more information on how to do both.

"I always tell people they can continue to take a step or stride to fund childhood cancer research and help more children celebrate future birthdays," Lewis said.