TORONTO — The families of two local women who lost their battles with cancer are helping those who are facing the disease through a race to be held Aug. 9 in the Gem City.

The Lou Ann Burchfield and Kathy Hannan Hale Colors of Cancer Memorial 5K Run-Walk will return on Aug. 9.

The race’s name comes from the fact its organizers invite participants to wear colors representing the various forms of the disease and from the two women who inspired it.

A 1980 graduate of Toronto High School, Lou Ann McCart Burchfield operated a daycare business in her home for 15 years and was a member of the Nazarene Church prior to her death, at the age of 46, in 2008.

Kathy Hannan Hale met many people as a clerk at Toronto’s Ben Franklin Store and Stacy’s IGA. She died of cancer at the age of 70 in 2023.

Their families decided to establish the race to honor them and raise funds for Sunshine Charity Inc., which provides assistance with transportation and other needs to local families dealing with cancer.

Last year’s event raised more than $10,000 for the cause and drew more than 225 runners and walkers of various ages.

Among many aiding the families with the endeavor is Abby LeMasters, owner of Tri B’s Coffee Shop at 241 North Fourth St., the starting point for runners at 9 a.m. and for walkers at 9:05 a.m.

The race’s course is a level, scenic route overlooking the Ohio River and leading to Old Route 7 at the city’s south end and back.

Local cheerleaders have been recruited to toss colored powder on participants at certain points during the run.

Since it began three years ago, participants have worn colors representing forms of cancer close to their hearts, such as pink for breast cancer or white for lung cancer, or multiple colors to represent the disease’s many forms.

Gold also may be worn to represent the many cases of cancer involving children, while zebra stripes have been used to represent rarer forms of cancer, such as neuroendocrine.

The race will be followed by a 1K run for children from the coffee shop at 10 a.m.

Those interested in participating may register online in advance at runsignup.com/Race/OH/Toronto/ColorsofCancerMemorial5K or on that day between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

The cost is $25 to participate in the timed race, while those interested in walking the course at a leisurely rate may pay $20.

The event is one of four races held in Toronto to benefit various causes.

Those who have participated in all four, dubbed the Quadfecta Challenge, will receive a medal bearing images representing each race on one side and symbols of the Toronto police and fire departments and TEMS Joint Ambulance District on the other.

The four races include the Pat Campbell Fighting Cancer 5K Run and Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run, held around St. Patrick’s Day and Independence Day, respectively, and the T-Town Turkey Trot, which will be held on the morning of Thanksgiving Day.