Pink Heals of Eastern Alabama held its fifth annual 5K run at Choccolocco Park on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in a continuing and heartfelt effort to support those in the region with cancer and other debilitating diseases.

This year’s run counted more than 40 registrants, including some who ran and others who just took the opportunity to donate to the cause.

“We currently are working with 32 area children with pediatric cancer,” said organizer B.R. Wilson.

Pink Heals is represented by two pink fire trucks, which bear the signatures of cancer survivors and those who sign in memory of those whose race against the disease sadly ended.

Wilson recalled a nine-year-old girl named Rozlyn Green from Glencoe who died from Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2019. An orange bandana on one of the two pink fire trucks is in her memory.

“That was the first child I began following,” Wilson said. “When she died, I just cried. The next morning, God told me to do something for the families of these kids with cancer. Every time I have hit a roadblock, He has moved it out of the way, and it has been an awesome experience.”

The family of Kaylee Jeter, a young lady who lived in the Choccolocco area, lost her seven-year battle against glioblastoma brain cancer in 2022 at the age of 23. As a way of paying the kindness of Pink Heals forward, they have now raised $3,365 to help others.

Wilson said while there is a focus on cancer, Pink Heals also strives to help families deal with the difficult issues caused by disease.

“I recently took a check for $1,000 to a family with two-year-old twins, and that was matched by the Buddy Moore golf charity,” he said. “One is in Children’s Hospital waiting on a heart transplant, and families going through things like that need help above and beyond medical bills.”

Pink Heals also sponsors an annual Christmas party on the second Saturday of December each year, helped by funds and toys raised from displays at various local merchants.

“We buy all the children in a family Christmas presents - even if there is only one who is ill,” Wilson said. “We contact the parents and find out what they want.”

“There are so many people who have stepped up to help,” he said. “We especially appreciate the city of Oxford, which goes out of its way every year to help us with our run at Choccolocco Park.”

Those wanting more information or wishing to help the nonprofit organization can find Pink Heals East Central Alabama on Facebook, phone Wilson at 256-312-0252, or email at pinkhealseasternalabama@gmail.com.