An event that has raised thousands of dollars to find a cure for an aggressive form of brain cancer known as DIPG will have its eighth and final installment on June 12.
Organizer Lynn Whittington started the annual carnivals after her son, Peyton Whittington, died of a brain cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, at age 5 in June 2013. An inoperable, tentacle-like tumor had encased the boy’s brain stem.
Money raised during the carnival at CERAland Park, 3989 S. County Road 525E, contributes to a fund used to create research grants into pediatric brain cancer.
Whittington said her family is actively seeking another local family to take over the director role in the future. Under Whittington’s leadership, Peyton’s Angels has raised more than a half million dollars for the research.
“It has been a huge honor these past eight years to have had the opportunity to share my son Peyton’s story with you as a chapter of The Cure Starts Now,” Whittington said. “Choosing to close my chapter after this year’s Carnival for the Cure was an extremely difficult decision to make. My family and I could not have succeeded as much as we have without the amazing support and love of our community.
This year’s event will have food, games, prizes, live entertainment, raffles and fireworks. It begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues until dusk concluding with fireworks.
Anyone who pre-purchases Carnival tickets online or makes an early donation will receive a special sticker when they arrive at the Carnival which says “I am one of Peyton’s Angels!”
Those unable to attend the Carnival this year may still make a donation in Peyton’s honor by selecting “donation only” on the Carnival for the Cure ticket page at https://csnevents.regfox.com/carnival-for-the-cure-2021 or visiting Peyton’s tribute page at thecurestartsnow.org.
“We are so proud of all the remarkable work Lynn has accomplished during her time as a chapter,” said Brooke Desserich, executive director of The Cure Starts Now. “Lynn will remain an integral part of our family, and we will continue to honor Peyton’s legacy and accept donations in his name.”
