CHICAGO (WLS) — Hundreds of runners, walkers, leukemia supporters and survivors participated in the 31st annual ABC7’s Gibbons Run on Saturday.

The event is named after ABC7 reporter Jim Gibbons, who lost his battle with leukemia in 1994.

The run and walk raises money for the Leukemia Research Foundation.

This year participation was up 25%.

“Supporting organizations like ours is more crucial than ever,” stated Executive Director Kevin Radelet of the Leukemia Research Foundation, highlighting the recent challenges faced in securing research funding.

The Alden Network has raised more than $11 million over 50 years for the Leukemia Research Foundation.

For the first year, Windy City Wire joined the event to honor their colleague Kimberly DePaola. She lost her battle in December.

Rebecca Komosa mentioned that the event has allowed her to pay tribute to her son with Team Oliver. Oliver passed away nearly eight years ago after battling cancer.

“Oliver has always been a big focus on our family,” Komosa said. “He has always been the one to bring everybody together.”

Leukemia survivor Vanessa Ortiz said she is walking for everybody that is battling.

“It was life changing and scary, to say the least. But I’m still here,” Ortiz said. “The support is everything. The community is everything.”

About the Leukemia Research Foundation

The Leukemia Research Foundation, located in Northfield, Illinois, is dedicated to funding groundbreaking leukemia research globally and assisting those affected by leukemia. Since its inception in 1946, it has raised over $90 million to pursue improved treatments and an eventual cure for leukemia. For further details, visit the Leukemia Research Foundation’s website at leukemiarf.org.