Head for the Cure supports Solace House

by Lisa Templeton-Farmer, Director of Grief Programs at Kansas City Hospice and Solace House.

Head for the Cure events are community-powered fundraisers bringing the fight against brain cancer. Join us for the Head for the Cure 5K in Kansas City on August 25, created by the family of Chris Anthony. Chris courageously navigated his brain cancer diagnosis for two years before his death in 2003.

The Anthony family designated Solace House as a beneficiary of the race since its inception more than a decade ago. Chris’ wife Kirsten sought support for herself and their children Cole and Caroline from a community with similar experiences. She found Solace House peer support groups for youth and adults that have experienced the death of someone important in their lives.

Solace House, a program of Kansas City Hospice, is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to serve the community. Participants often leave a donation at the end of a session. The Anthony family has gone far beyond.

Over the last decade, we have been present at countless 5Ks, Expos, survivor events, launches of bike races and more. It’s an honor to have walked alongside Kirsten and her children and worked with HFTC founder and Chris’ brother Matt and numerous volunteers and staff of HFTC.

This year we will be at the Expo at the DoubleTree and at Corporate Woods on race morning. Come by the table and say hello. Have a great race and thanks for all you do for those impacted by brain cancer and the research to reduce its impact tomorrow. Also, we’d love to have you join the Kansas City Hospice Team and run with us!

Chris’ Story

Chris Anthony was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor in October 2000. For two years, he battled cancer with dignity, grace and unimaginable courage. Chris passed away February 10, 2003, but even today, his conviction and passion continues to inspire us all.

The annual Head for the Cure 5K events are dedicated to the memory of Chris, a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. Chris grew up in the Kansas City area and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was strong in faith and an inspiration to those close to him. Chris valued people as much as they valued him and he was blessed with many friends. Chris never took that for granted.

The greatest joy in Chris’ life was his family — wife, Kirsten and two children, Cole and Caroline. He savored every moment spent with them and taught Cole and Caroline many important things in their brief time together.

Chris was an avid runner. He had an unmatched competitive spirit and loved the outdoors. And so we come together to run, in honor and memory of a very good man, and to continue his fight.

Join Us!

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Solace House is a center for Grief and Healing that supports children, individuals and families who have been impacted by the death of a loved one, whether anticipated, or sudden and unexpected. We provide opportunities to share, listen, learn and heal. Solace House is a a program of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.

The mission of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care is to bring expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance, and hope to people who are affected by life-limiting illness or by grief. ur vision is that each person in our community is valued from life through death and each family is supported in their grief.