On Sept. 22, Belmont Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students volunteered at the annual Sara Walker Run to honor the life of 2003 Belmont DPT alumna Sara Pigg Walker. The Sara Walker Run is a fundraising event to raise money for various missions supported through the Sara Walker Foundation that are intended to help spread Walker’s message of hope to others through Jesus Christ.
This year marked the 10th Sara Walker Run. The first Run occurred in April 2011 when Walker’s ‘Belmont PT family’ sought to find a way to raise funds for medical expenses to help her and her family when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Due to its huge success, and in an effort to continue to honor her, the annual Sara Walker Run continues today and serves as the Sara Walker Foundation’s main fundraising event.
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Christi Williams shares Walker’s story with all incoming Belmont DPT students, encouraging them to help spread Walker’s message to others by participating in the event and/or volunteering to help with the Kids for Kids Fun Run, which is organized and run by Belmont DPT students.
There were 83 Belmont DPT students in attendance this year, which sets a record for the program. Third-year student, Lauren Addison, served as the student leader and event coordinator for the student volunteers who designed various fun activities for the kids to participate in during the run. The kids were divided into three age groups and were given a wrist band that coordinated with their teammates. Each team was led by a group of Belmont DPT students while the other students created obstacles involving pool noodles, silly string, water balloons and more. Following the race, Walker’s father Jody (Papa) Pigg, with the help of student volunteers, led the kids in an interactive and fun worship service.
To learn more about Walker’s story and the mission of the Sara Walker Foundation, click here. You can also purchase a copy of Walker’s book, The Light Shines Through – A Story of Hope in the Midst of Suffering, which can be found on Amazon. All proceeds from the book go to Walker’s two children for their college fund.
