Treadfit Lemont Raises Thousands For 4-Year-Old Girl Fighting Cancer

LEMONT, IL — Treadfit Lemont gathered its community for a special cause for its first-ever Turkey Trot, raising thousands for 4-year-old Gia Rapacki, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

More than 100 Lemont residents, friends and supporters of the Rapacki family participated in six sessions throughout the day on Nov. 23 at Treadfit Lemont, 1056 State St. Participants had 35 minutes to walk two miles or run 3.1 miles on a treadmill.

Gia’s mother, Lauren, is a dedicated Treadfit Lemont client, and participated with friends and family members, some of whom even travelled from out of state for the event, the business said.

Nora Sheahan, co-owner of Treadfit Lemont, said Lauren has been a regular client since the business opened last year.

"Not only do we feel we have such an amazing family-like community within the gym with our clients, but we feel that Lemont in general is such a wonderful, tight-knit community as well," Sheahan told Patch. "So, when we heard the news about Gia, we wanted to do something to help, and we knew others would too."

The Turkey Trot event was already scheduled for Nov. 23, and Sheahan, and two of Lauren's close friends and Treadfit clients, Ellen Bottorf and Hannah Murphy, came up with the idea of donating the proceeds for the day to help Gia.

"We originally had three classes scheduled and because of the amazing response we ended up adding three more, totaling classes filled with clients, family and friends of the Rapacki family and local Lemont community members," Sheahan said.

In addition to the Turkey Trot event, Elevate Aesthetics was also on-site giving participants vitamin b12 shots, with proceeds being donated to the Rapacki family. All the trainers from Treadfit Lemont and staff of Elevate Aesthetics donated their time, the business said.

Gia herself also designed a T-shirt that was sold in advance of the event. More than $3,200 was donated to the Rapacki family, the business said.

“We were overwhelmed by the support of the Lemont community for the Rapacki family. Gia and the Rapacki family have an entire city behind them as they fight this battle!” said Lauren Doig, co-owner of Treadfit Lemont.