Sgt John Cain COMEBACK Charity Challenge 5K

The Sgt John Cain Comeback Charity Challenge 5k is set for Friday evening, April 8th at 6:30 pm at JF Gregory Park, according to race directors Sandra and Ron Elliott, of Georgia Game Changers Running Company.

The race will benefit Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) Sergeant John Cain, a Richmond Hill resident, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

$25 entry fee

POST Race Awards Georgia Game Changers Health & Fitness Complex

T-shirts to first 200 participants

Packet pick up starting 4:30 PM until 6: 00 PM at JF Gregory Park

The Sgt John Cain Comeback Charity Challenge 5k is set for Friday evening, April 8th at 6:30 pm at JF Gregory Park, according to race directors Sandra and Ron Elliott, of Georgia Game Changers Running Company.

The race will benefit Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) Sergeant John Cain, a Richmond Hill resident, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Sgt Cain became an international hero of sorts when he helped a local injured, runner, Robert McCoy, who had fallen, across the finish line of the 2015 Savannah Rock and Roll Half Marathon in November.  The photos, video, and story was picked up by national and international TV stations and images of the two crossing the finish line went viral.

In December, Sgt Cain went to the emergency room with severe pain, and it was there he found out he had pancreatic cancer.

His daughter, Shania, began a campaign to raise funds to cover the cost of the treatments, establishing a Go Fund Me link.  The goal was $200,000, and so far over $33,000 have been raised. The link is:  https://www.gofundme.com/ukhtgr8c

Georgia Game Changers Running Company met Sgt Cain when they contacted him following the Rock and Roll Race, and offered up a free pair of running shoes.  Sgt Cain chose a Newton Running Shoe and had begun training with his sister, Stacy Cain Armstrong, with the goal of completing the entire half-marathon in this year's Rock and Roll Half Marathon.

"I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers and support in both the communities of Bryan and Chatham Counties, since I began dealing with this illness. With the upcoming race, we hope to raise enough money to help with medical bills and other expenses," said Sgt. John Cain.

Cain added, "Any money not used in the treatment of my cancer, will be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center."

Sandra Elliott, owner of Game Changes has offered a CHALLENGE in order to raise additional funds prior to the race.  She is dedicating all of her miles run in the month of March to Sgt Cain, and then donating a $1. per mile for each mile run to the GoFundMe cause.

"I am hoping others will join me in this challenge, as well as signing up for the 5K race in April.  We hope to get the Richmond Hill and other local police officers to join the race and challenge each other as well," said Elliott.

The race logo came about as a joint effort between Elliott's daughter, Amanda, and Richmond Hill resident, Jacy Vergara, who took a pen drawing from Amanda and turned it into the final logo.  The logo represents not only Sgt Cain's dedication to the Savannah Chatham Police Department, but also his battle to win over pancreatic cancer and to a true COMEBACK.

John's family, his sons, George and Jake, his daughter Shania, his sister, Stacy, and his wife, Carmen,  joined him to kick off the event on Monday at Game Changers.

Each of John's children expressed their gratitude for the support of their dad. According to George Cain, "Thank you" just doesn't seem adequate to express our gratefulness for the love and support of so many, both locally and across the nation."

Shania Cain added, "Ever since I was little, I have been 'daddy's little angel.' He has always been my hero, and has been there for me to rely upon. Not it is time to return to favor. My dad is a game changer.  I love him to the moon and back."

Owners of Love's Seafood, Fulton and Donna Love, have already jumped on board as the Title Sponsors of the race, with other local businesses also pledging their support.

Donna Love, said "Love’s Seafood & Steaks is so excited to be the Title Sponsor to help ONE OF OUR OWN. Not only is John one of our own, but has gone beyond his profession of serving and protecting us. It is now time for us to try and help protect him with all we can.

Jake Cain, echoed that by saying "I am thankful for the opportunity to raise money for a great cause."

" We are Cains," he added, "and Cains never give up. We are thankful that Georgia Game Changers is helping us to put this race together."

The after party and awards ceremony will be held at Georgia Game Changers Running Company in Richmond Hill.

The Charity Challenge is to get runners/walkers to donate their logged MARCH running or walking miles to Sgt Cain and raise $$ to match their miles! Race registration will be on www.savannahraces.com this week.  Call Georgia Game Changers for more information. 912-445-2163.