By Nevada Leslie

The 7th annual Passion For Life Run/Walk and 5 Mile Run benefiting Sydney Balzer, a nine-year-old battling leukemia, will occur Saturday March 29th, 2014 in downtown Walled Lake.

Balzer, the 2014 Inspiration Family, was diagnosed with ALL- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2010. The event will benefit U of M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital as well.

The race started in 2008 in order to benefit Sydnie Guttovz, the daughter of a Walled Lake teacher and coach. Over the years, five other families have benefited, the Blazer’s will be the sixth.

Awards will be given out to the top two finishers in each age group, which are14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-44, and 45-54, for both the 5K and 5 mile. Steven Hoef, senior class member and competitor in the 5k race stated “winning an award would be awesome, but all that matters is getting support for Sydney and her family”.  In addition to the top two finisher, awards will also be given to the overall male champion, overall female champion, overall master (55+) male, and overall master (55+) female.

Registration takes place online at the Passion for Life website, www.passionforlife.org. It is open until race day; however the prices will go up the closer to race day it is. Check out the website if you would like to volunteer as well.