The first “Save the Beans” run to benefit the IgA Nephropathy Foundation of America, which battles kidney disease, is scheduled Saturday at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.
The event, a Halloween-themed 2K walk with options, also including a 5K or 10K run, will be held at 9 a.m. at Independence Grove, located on the northeast corner of routes 137 and 21.
All proceeds benefit the IgA Nephropathy Foundation of America, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $850,000 for kidney disease research, according to Illinois area representative Julie Nerheim Scroggins of Beach Park, whose son has the disease.
Registration on the day of the event will be held from 7 to 8:30 a.m., with all races starting at 9 a.m. The fee to participate is $25 for the 2K walk, $30 for the 5K run and $40 for the 10K run. Registration is $12 for ages 12 and under in all categories
A limited number of event T-shirts will be available for same-day registrants.
Medals will be provided to the top three male and female finishers in all categories. The race is chip timed with instant results.
Chili and cornbread will be served at the end of the race and there will be a DJ to entertain participants.
Former NFL wide receiver Donald Jones, who played for the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, is scheduled to attend as a special guest. He has IgA nephropathy, is on the board of the IgA Nephropathy Foundation of America and had to retire from the NFL due to the disease.
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Jones received a kidney transplant from his father and is currently doing very well, Scroggins said.
Jones has written a book, “The Next Quarter,” which is currently on the Amazon best-seller list. He will be at Pizzeria Uno, 6593 Grand Ave., Gurnee Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to autographing his book.
For more information on the foundation and the events, contact Julie Scroggins at 224-619-6945 or visit http://bit.ly/1dCwuL8.
Twitter @JimNewton5