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Children’s Minnesota providers run TC 10 Mile for cancer patients
The 12-person team consists of care providers with Children’s Minnesota’s cancer and blood disorders program. Money raised will go to their Cancer Kids Fund.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is back this weekend for its 41st season.
Thousands of runners will be taking over the cities, and many of them add even more meaning to their miles through fundraising for causes close to their hearts.
For a group at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, they’re reminded of their reason for running every day.
“You get to know these patients and families really well. You talk to them day in and day out and so it really isn’t just about the patient anymore; it becomes a big family,” said Erin Bevers, a nurse at Children’s Minnesota.
Bevers is one of 12 on a team who will be running the TC 10 Mile on Sunday. The group is made up of care providers — from doctors and nurses to dietitians in the cancer and blood disorders program.
They’re raising money for the Cancer Kids Fund at Children’s Minnesota.
“It’s a fund that we have within our clinic to take care of our kids with cancer and blood disorders. It helps with so many different things,” Bevers explained. “While we can’t actually pay for the treatment that they’re receiving, we can help offset some of the expenses like mortgage payments, or utilities, food, transportation… It also helps with smaller things like toys, games.”
The fund also helps with their Camp Breakaway — a week-long summer camp for children with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their siblings.
“Our staff is already really close but it’s kind of brought us even closer together,” RN Case Manager Bri DePauw said.
DePauw said they have felt support from not only staff but patients and their families. A poster is on display where people have been writing the team words of encouragement.
Everyone on the team has a different relationship to running. Some, like DePauw, are just getting back into running.
“I think knowing that we’re raising money to help the families that we work with every day, that are honestly so inspiring to us every day, is the best part. But also I feel like doing it in honor of the kids that are no longer with us is really motivating and special, as well,” DePauw said. “So on the days where I don’t feel like going for a run, I think about some of my patients that are no longer with us and that keeps me moving.”
Pediatric Dietitian Rachel Laquere has an added layer of motivation to run on the team.
“I’ve been in the cancer, blood disorders clinic now for about 11 years and in January I will be five years cancer-free. I think that probably lights a little extra fire underneath of me for that reason,” said Laquere, whose youngest kid was only 10 days old when she was diagnosed.
Laquere stressed how important the Cancer Kids Fund is to helping fill in the gaps for families.
“My family was really lucky. I was really fortunate. I had the resources that I needed to make it through to tackle all the things that we needed to tackle… it was still the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Laquere said. “I can’t even imagine that extra layer of difficulty when it’s your child, or when you are worried about taking the time needed off of work, or having to choose between going to work or making it to your child’s clinic visit or whatever it is.”
Team Superstars for Cancer Kids Fund surpassed their goal of $6,000. They hope to raise even more money before Sunday.
“A lot of times runners have mantras, things that they tell themselves over and over to kind of keep themselves going,” Laquere said. “My mantra has always been, ‘I get to run today.’ I get to. Not everybody gets to. There are kids that aren’t here today. Running isn’t necessarily easy. Running a 10-mile, running a marathon, isn’t easy but I get to be here. I get to do this.”
You can support the team by making a donation to their fundraising page, here.
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Donald Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to entering another man’s apartment and shooting him to death last year was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement saying 59-year-old Walter Hill was sentenced on second-degree intentional murder charges in 60-year-old Donald Edmondson’s November 2023 killing.
Prosecutors said Hill was given 337 days of credit for time already served.
“Mr. Edmondson should still be alive,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “A violent act committed with such disregard by Mr. Hill has taken him from his family. This sentence delivers accountability and protects our community, and I hope it brings some measure of peace to Mr. Edmondson’s loved ones as they attempt to move forward with their lives.”
According to police, Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
The attorney’s office said Hill entered his guilty plea Monday.
Turns out, Twin Cities realtor and billboard personality Kris Lindahl is in on the joke.
MINNEAPOLIS — The makers of the video game “Call of Duty” launched a new, locally inspired campaign Friday, coinciding with the release of the franchise’s newest installment, “Black Ops 6.”
Motorists might notice real estate agent Kris Lindahl, famously seen with his arms out over every interstate in town, was replaced by *ahem* “The Replacer,” an Activision character played by actor Peter Stormare.
For the next few weeks, The Replacer will step in for Lindahl not only on billboards but also on advertisements across television, streaming and social media platforms.
But why does Lindahl need The Replacer’s help, you might ask?
So he’s free to play “Black Ops 6,” of course.
The Replacer isn’t new to Minnesota. He also once stepped into the shoes of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, shares his project to connect humanity through stories.
MINNEAPOLIS — In the busy intersections of life, some moments are often overlooked, while others are ignored.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, sees these intersections as opportunities for connecting and understanding.
“Three years ago, I just got a heart for this,” Morrison said, explaining that overlooking these moments was never an option. “Some might say it’s a calling that I was just compelled,” he shared, describing his deep motivation.
This project, “Will You See Me?” shares stories of people who are often unseen, aiming to create connections and build empathy. With each story, photograph and encounter, the team hopes to bring dignity and significance to every life they touch.
Ultimately, they plan to compile these stories and images into a book to serve as a powerful testament to the human experience.
“How can we not make it just an excursion but an encounter? How can we give dignity and significance a listening ear of understanding?” Morrison asked, hoping the project fosters empathy through shared narratives.
One participant, Wade Smith, reflected on the range of life experiences among the project’s subjects.
“I went to radio and television broadcasting school, yeah, and then I went to the service,” Smith shared.
Morrison’s approach includes photographing and recording participants’ words, preserving their voices authentically.
After initial challenges finding collaborators, Shawn Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Studios, and Elizabeth Korth, owner of Narrative Nuance, joined Morrison in his mission. Together, they approach individuals directly, offering respect, gift cards and a chance to be truly seen.
“People don’t even look at me,” Smith said. “It’s a problem for all Americans.”
Through each encounter, Morrison hopes to leave lasting impressions.
“I’m hoping that the people of our community start to see things differently, and they might ask this question, ‘What can I do?’” Morrison said.
Dre Woods, another participant, spoke about his family and dreams. Woods asked for help to take care of his four-legged companion, Oreo.
“I’m trying to feed her, right? That’s my baby,” Woods shared, revealing the motivations that guide him.
Dozens of stories and plenty of surprises, all things that give an often unshared perspective.
“I be asking God what it is why I’m still here. A lot of my friends not hear no more and I think about that,” Woods said.
Each interaction serves as a reminder of humanity’s shared connections.
“I think that it would encourage someone to do just something once. Each person could do something one day at a time, to be profound,” Nielsen said.
For Morrison, these stories are part of a larger mission.
“Boy, has there been a rest of the story for some of these beautiful people,” he said, hoping to inspire others to view their communities with fresh eyes.
Each moment and interaction serves as a call to action: look closer; adjust the community’s vision; and see the intersection they pass by more clearly — as part of their own destination.
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