by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
An “Olympics Day” that 9-year-old Ethan Neid of Sartell enjoyed at school earlier this year inspired him to sponsor an Olympics event of his own, not just for fun but to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.
Neid raised $150 from his own “Olympics Day” to give to a team dubbed “Amy’s Angels.” He was aware of the team because three of the women on it are friends of his parents, Dan and Carrie Neid.
“Amy’s Angels” is a team of women that will walk 60 miles (20 miles each day) this weekend in the Twin Cities during the annual “Susan G. Komen 3-Day,” as it’s known. Amy’s Angels, comprised of about 20 women, several from central Minnesota, vowed five years ago to raise a goal of $100,000 for the “Susan G. Komen Find a Cure” organization. This is the fifth and final year of Amy’s Angels annual walk.
Recently, Neid with some help from friends and his sister, 5-year-old Megan, organized 20 fun-but-challenging games in his yard for neighborhood competitors — most from the Meadow Lake neighborhood in Sartell. He also sold hot dogs and soft drinks. After the fun and games, Neid presented medals to the winners.
“Ethan is an aspiring actor,” said his mother, Carrie. “He loves theater, loves playing the piano and has been entertaining since the age of 1. He is such an intelligent young man and has a really huge heart. My husband and I helped him get his Olympics ready, but the whole thing was his idea. We are very proud of him.”
Neid is already planning another Olympics fun-and-games fundraiser for next summer.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation was founded in 1982 by Nancy Brinker, the younger sister of Susan G. Komen, who died at the age of 33 of breast cancer after a terrifying-but-courageous three-year battle with the disease. Komen, raised in Peoria, Ill., had often told her sister how good it would be if more women were aware of breast cancer for early detection and how the disease should be the subject of more research. Brinker promised her sister she would do everything in her power to make that happen.
Since its founding, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure,” as it’s now known, has raised about $2 billion worldwide to fight breast cancer and to raise awareness about it. Its famous symbol is the crossed pink ribbon.
To donate to the Susan. G. Komen 3-Day Walk, go to www.the3day.org and click on the “Donate” button.