Payton's Run 2026

Description

This is a Cancer Awareness run/walk in honor of Payton Lane Weatherwax Buckland. Payton was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in June of 2020. On November 20, 2022, he became our angel. This run/walk was created to preserve Payton Lane's strength, love, and memory.

His strength was unbelievable. Two weeks before he was diagnosed with "stage 4", he ran 5 miles with me; he only stopped because the road ended, not because he was sick, not because he was tired, but because the road had ended. On another occasion, while he was receiving chemo treatments, he went for a mile run with me. The next day, he came home and said, "Welp, Doc said I can't go for runs at this point in my treatments." Again, not because he was sick or tired, simply because the Dr. said. He stood tall and was always on the go, ready for new adventures. His love for his family was beautiful and expressed with compassion and laughter. His faith could move mountains: he was serious about his Jesus long before his diagnosis.

One day, Payton and I were talking about how rare this cancer is and how we had never heard of it before his diagnosis. We then decided we wanted to start a Rhabdomysarcoma Awareness Run. I asked him, "Do you want it to have just your name or your face too? he was almost shocked at such a question and said, "Ho, my face too!" He loved to be the star of the show, and that he was. He was an all-around athlete and the life of the party.

Help us continue his legacy of love and strength by participating in this run/walk year after year. We will use your support and participation to start a scholarship for kids who are overachievers and like to stand out, as Payton did. The first scholarship will be gifted to his graduating class of 2027 and every year after.