Spotlight on ... Hoops for Life

Sahara Aldridge died on Nov. 5, 2007 from a brainstem glioma, a malignant brain tumor with no cure. She was 13 years old.

In 2010, her parents, Amy and Shannon Aldridge, started the Hoops for Life 5K Run/Walk to raise money for pediatric brain tumor research. That year, the race had 325 participants. By 2012, 651 people had registered for the race, which has become the largest fundraising run/walk between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn.

"Hoops for Life is our passion and our purpose," Amy says. "Everything we do is in honor of Sahara. She was a magnificent girl who left a huge impact on everyone she knew, and on thousands of people she never met. We channel our grief into trying to help other children and families. We are still learning to live without her and to embrace what has become our new normal. ... We are living our lives to the fullest, because Sahara wouldn't want it any other way."

The 2012 event, which was capped off with a benefit concert by Rick Springfield, raised $21,110.

This year's race will be Saturday, July 20. Race information and registration forms can be found at www.hoopsforlife.net.

"We feel that raising funds to help other children is a fitting way to honor Sahara's memory," the couple say. "No child should have to suffer and die from the devastating effects of brain tumors. Our family has made it our mission to support the efforts of researchers who work tirelessly to find cures for cancers that take the lives of children each and every day."

The money raised goes to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University for pediatric brain tumor research. According to Amy Aldridge, the doctors there are researching a vaccine for brain cancer.

"When we send them a check," Shannon Aldridge said, "One-hundred percent of the money goes into research. Every penny. That speaks volumes."

Amy and Shannon have also been working with Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, on Sahara's Law.

Wallingford is sponsoring legislation, that if it passes, would allow taxpayers in Missouri to donate a minimum of $1 from their tax refund to benefit the CureSearch for Children's Cancer. In April the bill was referred to committee in the Senate. It has already passed in the House, shepherded by Wallingford when he was a representative.