The purpose of The Butterfly Fund 5K Run/Walk is to raise money to help support research, treatment, and services dedicated to the defeat of all childhood cancers.
Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer, and each year, 12,600 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Although cancer is a disease that accounts for more deaths of children than any other disease, great strides have been made in the research and treatment of childhood cancer.
Since the mid-1950s, cooperative research has improved the survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 10% to almost 80% overall. Cure rates vary according to each specific type of childhood cancer. Some types remain very difficult to cure. There is more work that needs to be done.
In addition to the 5K Run/Walk, The Butterfly Fund also hosts an annual charity golf tournament at Fox Den Country Club, a Black Tie Gala, and a Butterflies and Bowties Gala, specially designed for childhood cancer survivors, patients, and their families. The Barger and Harrill families have made it their mission to bring awareness to childhood cancer through these annual events throughout East Tennessee.