(KNZA)--The 15th annual Missy Newell Memorial 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk will take place Saturday morning in Hiawatha.

Registration begins at 7:00 at the corner of 6th and Oregon in downtown Hiawatha, with the race starting at 8:00.

The Hiawatha woman died in October 2001 at the age of 32 after a five-year battle with cancer.

Before she died, Newell set up a fund to help others fighting cancer.

A committee was formed to oversee the distribution of the funds and an annual fun run/walk was organized to help replenish the funds dispersed each year.   

Nearly $8,700 was raised from last year’s event, with an additional nearly $2,800 in memorials and another $700 from various fundraisers that was all donated to the fund.

During the past year, the fund has helped more than twenty-five individuals by alleviating costs associated with fighting all types of cancer.   Money from the fund is also used to fund a $500 scholarship to a Hiawatha High School graduate.

To date, more than $110,000 has been raised since the fund was established.

Last year about one hundred and ten people participated in the memorial event, with forty-three of those being runners and the rest walkers.

More information can be found at missynewellmemorial.com