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By Josh Perry
Hometown Weekly Staff
When she read the story of 7-year-old Hunter Williams and the efforts of Hunter’s family to create a 5K and one-mile fun run in Medfield to honor his battle through a second, double-lung transplant, resident Kristen Saulnier was moved to help out.
Saulnier’s father received a double-lung transplant in October 2004 and thanks to the procedure he lived for another 10-1/2 years before passing away in July 2015.
In a letter to local residents, Saulnier wrote, “Because an amazing person decided to give the gift of life, I was able to be walked down the aisle by my father last September and share my father/daughter dance that every little girl dreams of.”
Thanks to her family’s connection with transplants and the miracle of giving life through organ donation, when she read about Hunter and how he has been able to continue through two procedures at such a young age, Saulnier wanted to help out.
She has already registered for Hunter’s Run, which will be held on Sunday, April 3 at the Kingsbury Club, 2 Ice House Rd. in Medfield, and she is urging other residents to get involved as well.
The proceeds from the event will go to Boston Children’s Hospital where Hunter was cared for during and after his procedure. In addition to the 5K and Fun Run, there will also be awards for various age groups and post-race festivities including music and food.
Register for the event at www.active.com. Anyone registered by Monday, Feb. 29 will be guaranteed a Hunter’s Run t-shirt.
For more information about the race, to become a sponsor, or to volunteer on race day, contact Kristen Saulnier at murph5424@yahoo.com or Kristen Williams, Hunter’s mother and race director, at swierky43@comcast.net.
To learn more or to share a story about how organ donation has affected your life, connect with other runners and local residents at www.facebook.com/groups/HuntersRunMedfield.
Josh Perry is an Editor at Hometown Weekly. He can be reached at news@hometownweekly.net and followed on Twitter at @Josh_Perry10.
