The annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon attracts thousands of runners from all across the country, each united together in their goals of supporting the children and families battling cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year, the race will be held on Dec. 7, and among the runners will be junior Union University student Lindsey Dismuke, who holds St. Jude very close to her heart. Her connection to the race is deeply personal due to her family’s connection to the hospital.
Dismuke’s earliest memory of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon dates back to 2012, shortly after her younger brother, Ingram, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of three. Following this diagnosis came a whirlwind of medical appointments, surgeries, 46 rounds of radiation, 8 rounds of chemotherapy and a very different life for the Dismuke family involving St. Jude.
Dismuke recalled a story told by her mother, recalling her own first moments at the hospital.
“My mom says that she walked in the main building and straight to the check-in desk, on the verge of tears. The woman working security came around and she just hugged her,” Dismuke said. “My mom just fell apart. She said to her, ‘It’s gonna be okay. You’re in the best possible place.’”
8-year-old Dismuke and her 10-year-old sister Madison saw how this place was positively impacting their family and wanted to do something for St. Jude. The hospital was a bright atmosphere for their family during a very difficult season of their lives. When they heard about the St. Jude Marathon, they knew it was the perfect way for their family full of runners and athletes to get involved.
The Dismuke sisters not only planned to participate in the race but dove head-first into other areas too. They became team captains for “Team Ingram,” which planned to run the race decked out in genuine smiles and custom-made T-shirts. They immediately began to work on fundraising with the help of their dad, creating a promo video featuring Ingram and his story told by the Dismuke sisters, involving details of the support provided to patients at St. Jude.
Dismuke shared the video with me. As I watched these two sisters under the age of 10 years boldly telling their story on behalf of their 3-year-old brother seated between them, I could not help but tear up at the tangible passion and love they had for St. Jude at such an early age — all because they had a front row seat of the joy St. Jude brought their brother, Ingram.
“We also wrote speeches, reached out to big companies and flew to Texas to go talk to some people there,” Dismuke said, her voice still carrying the excitement of the memory. “We ended up raising over $100,000 for St. Jude.”
Yes, you heard that right. Two passionate kids under the age of ten raised over $100,000 for St. Jude.
The St. Jude Marathon became a way for the Dismuke family to not only fundraise for the beloved hospital that never charges any patient a cent but simultaneously unite in support of Ingram. Dismuke recalled that the first year participating in the race involved running alongside over 100 friends and family members who made up Team Ingram.
Runners participating in the race have the option of choosing the marathon, half marathon, 5k or 10k options. The Dismuke family is now on year 13 of running the race, and Dismuke explained that each year has looked a little different.
“I started running the 5k as a kid, and now I run the marathon,” Dismuke said. “Ingram runs the 10k. It is wild to think about how far we have come. He was not into running when we started, but this is going to be his third year and he is doing the 10k,” Dismuke laughed, “And I’m, like, ‘holy cow.’”
Her goals for this year’s race are far from related to making a specific time or breaking any personal records, but are simply “all about having fun.” For Dismuke, the marathon is an annual reminder of the power of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, community, hope and perseverance. As she looks back on her experiences with the hospital, she cannot help but feel grateful for the opportunity to support St. Jude.
“I think back and remember other three and four-year-olds that Ingram was friends with,” Dismuke said, her voice full of emotion. “They would be standing on their IV poles and running down the hallways, laughing and having fun. And that’s the atmosphere of St. Jude. It’s a place where there’s so much grief, heartbreak and loss, sadly — But it’s also one of the happiest places because everybody is just filled with joy and wanting to help get these kids better.”
This year, she has plans to run the race with fellow Union Students.
“I’m gonna be running with some of the Jillz, and I think we’re gonna dress up as Power Rangers,” Dismuke said, wearing a smile.
We wrapped up our conversation with some exciting life updates regarding Ingram.
“It’s crazy to think about where he is now,” Dismuke said. “He is 12 years cancer-free and actually has his next check-in appointment at St. Jude next Thursday!”
