Emily's Rainbow Run Brings Sunshine

Once again, Emily Lewis came through.

Every year since it began, has been graced with near-perfect weather. Sunday's fourth annual event at was no different, as sunny skies and cool-but-not-cold temperatures made for near-perfect running conditions.

John and Debbie Lewis, Emily's parents, credit her with the weather.

"She takes care of it," John said.

Emily died in 2009 at age 12 after battling cancer for three years.

About 800 runners and walkers participated in the Rainbow Run. Check the attached PDFs for complete results from the 2-mile run/walk and the 4-mile run.

The Lewises hope Sunday's event will raise about $30,000 for Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

If that happens, John Lewis said, a family goal of donating $100,000 will be reached.

John also reached a personal goal, running in the 4-mile race for the first time. He finished in 35 minutes.

"I think Emily would have wanted me to do this," he said. "It was easy with so many friends helping."

and there were dozens of volunteers doing everything from managing the race course to helping with the kids fun runs to doing fundraisers in the gym.

One of those volunteers was Caitlin O'Meara, who was a close friend of Emily's. When Emily was diagnosed, Caitlin's mother, Michelle, said, Caitlin wanted to do something for her friend.

So Caitlin put her budding artistic talent to use, making greeting cards. She began selling them, and donating the proceeds to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

Sunday, she was at a table, selling cards again. When asked what advice she would give to other young people who have a friend with a serious illness, she said the best thing to do is spend time together.

"Do everything you can with them," she said. "I wish I could have been with Emily more. But I know she enjoyed being with us. She was more up when we were with her."

Debbie Lewis said seeing so many of Emily's peers, now approaching young womanhood, is bittersweet. She wonders what Emily would look like, act like, talk like, if she had made it to 15.

But there is comfort in their presence, too, Debbie said.

"I see Caitlin with the cards, and girls selling rainbow bracelets, and all the volunteers," she said. "And I know Emily is not forgotten. In her short 12 years, her life had an impact. What a beautiful legacy she left."

Were you at Emily's Rainbow Run? Share your photos here, or in our Pics & Clips community scrapbook!