JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands gathered at the University of North Florida on Saturday to get moving.
Runners, walkers and rollers hit the course as a part of the 7th annual Dreams Come True 5K.
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RELATED | You can help make ‘Dreams Come True’ for local children battling life-threatening medical conditions
“We are here for our largest annual community-wide fundraiser to fulfill dreams for children here at Northeast Florida with life-threatening medical conditions,” Anna Valent, executive director at Dreams Come True, said.
Dreams Come True is a First Coast-based organization helping kids live out their wildest dreams.
“So, these children miss out on so much of their childhood things at school because they’re a doctor’s appointment in the hospital,” Valent said. “Our goal is to bring them a little hope and joy along the way and restore some of that through the power of a dream.”
About 4,800 dreams have been fulfilled since the organization began in 1984. Saturday’s event celebrated 40 years of existence.
Blake Hunter is a 10-year-old who has had three open heart surgeries.
He had his dream come true when he traveled to Las Vegas to watch BattleBots.
And he came back to the Dreams Come True 5K to let other kids know they aren’t alone.
“We’re just looking forward to being good and being strong for these kids,” he said.
Bentley Firster was at Saturday’s race as an ambassador.
This 11-year-old has been fighting a brain tumor for a little over a year. His dream came true when he spent a week in Orlando going to parks and eating sweets.
“I had ice cream for all seven days,” he said. “And I did not throw up. I repeat I did not throw up.”
Firster has finished all his treatment but said he’s going to keep on fighting.
“Forever and ever,” he said. “Until cancer decides to leave my body.”
And despite the prognosis these two kids have been given in life, Blake and Bentley have a similar outlook.
“If you have a dream chase it,” Blake said.
“Fight, fight, fight,” Bentley said.
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