Kier’s Hope to host 5th annual 5K run and fun walk in Dallas
SCD fundraiser honoring Junior Spates set to dash June 3
The 5th annual Kier’s Hope 5K Run and Fun Walk — a fundraiser launched by comedian Kier “Junior” Spates to support people with sickle cell disease (SCD) — is set to go this Saturday, June 3, in Dallas.
It’s also Kier’s Hope Day in the City of Dallas.
The event, hosted at the Margaret Hunt-Hill Bridge/Ron Kirk Pedestrian Walkway in Texas’ third-largest city, is expected to include about 400 runners. The run/walk starts at 8 a.m. CT, with registration opening an hour beforehand. Registration also is available online; it costs $30 per person.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Kier’s Hope Foundation, a nonprofit that aids sickle cell disease patients and their families with their immediate needs. The foundation was founded in 2018 by Spates, known for co-hosting the nationally syndicated radio program “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” as well as his own radio show in Atlanta.
Spates, who has SCD, has long been involved in advocating for sickle cell patients and sharing his own experiences. Little more than a month ago, he launched a new podcast, called “Living Your Life,” with the aim of sharing stories from people in the SCD community and sharing tips on navigating life with the disease.
June 3 also is Kier’s Hope Day in Dallas
Several celebrities have advocated for SCD patients in the last few decades, with television host KiKi Shepard launching the KIS Foundation in 2006. Both Shepard and Spates’ foundations seek to improve the quality of life of patients and families living with SCD
“Kier’s Hope Foundation envisions a world where sickle cell disease no longer exists, and we are working hard to raise awareness, resources, and funding to provide hope to those fighting this chronic disease,” Spates said in a press release.
The primary sponsor for this year’s Kier’s Hope 5K Run and Fun Walk is Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck.
“We’ve sponsored this event for five years in Dallas, and I’m looking forward to the expansion efforts that Kier has planned,” said Amy Witherite, founder of Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck.
“Together, we can reach the foundation’s goal of ultimately improving the quality of life of families that struggle with sickle cell disease,” Witherite said.
Kier’s Hope Foundation envisions a world where sickle cell disease no longer exists, and we are working hard to raise awareness, resources, and funding to provide hope to those fighting this chronic disease.
Spates expressed his appreciation for Witherite’s support of the foundation’s mission.
“We are grateful our primary sponsor, Amy Witherite and Witherite Law Group, for not just sponsoring the event over the past five years but joining hands with us as a partner to help expand our efforts into other markets this year,” Spates said.
Additional event sponsors include Emmaus Group, D. Herbs, and KUR Research. The initiative will also count with feature performances by the D-Down Crew, Dallas Mavericks’ official dance team.
Spates was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at age 7 — but only after experiences of “unexplainable pain, misdiagnoses, countless emergency room visits and hospital stays,” according to the press release. His hope in launching the foundation was to “inspire and educate families affected by the disease, provide education, programs, services and funding resources.”
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