runDisney Races
Kellsie loved Walt Disney World® probably more than any place on earth. It was her favorite place in the world to vacation with her family. She was even engaged to be married at Cinderella Castle. The Kellsie’s Hope Foundation has been fortunate to participate in runDisney races at Walt Disney World®. Our relationship provides Kellsie’s Hope with the unique opportunity to promote childhood cancer awareness and raise much needed funds for children with cancer and their families.
In 2012, the Kellsie’s Hope Foundation participated in their first runDisney race with just a handful of Kellsie’s family and friends. Kellsie’s Krew was born. Since that time, Kellsie’s Krew has participated in almost every runDisney event. More than 300 runners from almost every state in the US and five different countries have raised over a million dollars for the Kellsie’s Hope Foundation while increasing childhood cancer awareness.
Anyone can run with Kellsie’s Krew in a runDisney race. The Kellsie’s Hope Foundation participates in all US runDisney events. A minimum fundraising amount is required for each race with all net proceeds benefiting children with cancer.
For questions regarding participation or support of any runDisney event, please contact our Kellsie’s Krew Race Coordinator, Joe Silhavy, at kellsieskrew@aol.com.
Upcoming races
Frequently Asked Questions
Some businesses will match donations to nonprofit organizations. Check with your employer and have donors check with theirs. This is an easy way to double your donation. If you are expecting matching funds, please email us a screenshot of the match. Please ensure that it is a screen shot of the confirmation of the match (not the match application). We will then add it to your fundraising page
You will receive a welcome email from our Kellsie’s Krew race coordinator, Mel Santos. We encourage our runners to follow the fundraising deadlines as outlined in your welcome email. Please keep Mel updated if you think you will not be able to meet the deadlines.
If you have set up a Facebook or Instagram fundraising, please email us a screen shot of your fundraising page after it has ended. We will then add it to your fundraising page.
Personal checks from runners or donors may be mailed to our KHF office. Please include your name and the race you are running so that it can be properly credited to your fundraising page. Also, please notify us of when you mailed it so that we can keep a look out for it.
Kellsie’s Hope Foundation
PO BOX 331
Maryville, IL 62062
Fundraising must be at the 50% before the runDisney link emailed to our runner.
There are limited hotel rooms available to our runners. You will receive an email with link to book your rooms when they become available. Unfortunately, discounted park tickets are no longer offered to charities.
Your Disney bib can be picked up at the Expo. Please plan on attending the Expo as scheduled as we can no longer pick up your runDisney race bib for you.
We would LOVE to have you run in our Kellsie’s Hope running shirt, but we completely understand if you have prepared a costume for the race weekend. The best part of a runDisney race is wearing a costume.
We welcome all volunteers during the race weekend. We would LOVE to have you or your family cheer with the Krew during the race weekend. Please contact Joe at (618) 973-3393 or email joe@kellsieshope.com to volunteer.
If for some reason you are unable to race with Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, let us know as soon as possible. As you know runDisney does not offer a refund and we have adopted that policy as well. However, we will make every effort to find a runner to take your place given adequate notice. Charity registration closes one month before race weekend. Therefore, deferments cannot be made after this time.
