Runners of all ages braved rain and cold to make the 6th annual Super Cooper Rockin’ Run another huge success, raising more than $115,000 for Chapel Hill-based Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation.
Crowds gathered in Southern Village for the 1.56-mile family bike race and a chipped 5K. None other than Tar Heel legend Eric Montross served as master of ceremonies, cheering on racers at the start and finish lines and hosting the live auction. Undeterred by the gray skies, supporters enjoyed a performance by the Bouncing Bulldogs jump rope team, live music from Skinny Bag of Sugar, food trucks, carnival rides, face painting and beer and wine from Carolina Brewery.
“The Rockin’ Run is the single largest source of funds for our organization,” says co-founder Elise Herman. “We can’t say thank you enough to the volunteers and racers who made this event a smash success. It will allow us to continue to grow and serve more families in crisis.”
Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation was launched in 2010 by Justin and Elise Herman in honor of their son, Cooper, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009 at age 2. It provides private housing, and meals completely free of charge for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Just in 2015 alone, the ReCOOPeration Houses have provided solace to 35 families in both Durham and Chapel Hill. This does not include all the additional support like meals, gift cards, parking passes and gas cards. The foundation has expanded by partnering with Oakwood properties of Durham, who provides one to three additional apartments for families (depending on availability). They also have two units in Chapel Hill at the Southern Village Apartments. Volunteers provide home-cooked meals, toys, games, gift cards and more. Super Cooper supporters have adopted the foundation and these families as their own. At any one time the foundation may house up to six families.
Cooper fought bravely but, lost his battle in January 2014. The Hermans are determined to honor Cooper’s legacy by continuing to grow the organization that he inspired, serving families at their time of greatest need. Here are two family’s stories:
“So Much More”
Christine Herrmann says “our world was turned upside down and inside out” when her 4-year-old daughter, Abigail, was diagnosed with cancer in March. The family lives three hours away from the care Abigail needs at UNC.
“When we were accepted into the house for the entire two weeks of radiation, it was an instant financial relief, but it ended up being so much more,” Christine says.
“We were greeted with a warm smile, and the doors opened to a safe, clean and quiet environment. It afforded us the space to allow Abigail to rest privately and continue recovering from her harsh treatments, but the amenities also allowed us to give our 7-year-old son, Miles, a break from the medical chaos he was dragged along to endure. We received meals from complete strangers, gifts for our children and a warm welcome wherever we went. The Super Cooper house eased the giant financial burden of housing and meals, but also helped us on our path of emotional and physical healing.”
“Finally, We Could Breathe”
Darien Sinclair’s son was diagnosed last year, at age 5, with advanced stage 4 neuroblastoma. It had spread through much of his body.
“We are in the fight for his life,” Darien’s mother, Deidre, says.
“After 11 months of treatment, we had hit bottom and exhausted all resources. We needed to get Darien to the hospital daily, but I had no idea how we were going to pull this off. Darien did not have an immune system strong enough to stay at Ronald McDonald, and the only other options were expensive hotels or commuting daily. Then I was referred to Super Cooper foundation’s Jennifer Thompson and Elise Herman. It was a prayer being answered! Super Cooper not only gave us free private lodging, but it was immaculately clean – super important to Darien’s health. Super Cooper also directed a Meal Train to assure we were able to have food every day and gave us gift cards for gas and necessities. Finally, we could breathe, and Super Cooper Foundation made that possible!”
Visit supercooperswagon.org to find out how you can support and get involved with the organization all year long as well as news about next year’s event.
