Members of the central New York community will head over to either Gazella in Skaneateles or Elevate Fitness in DeWitt on Saturday to participate in Pedaling 4 Paige, an indoor spinning event designed to raise money for childhood cancer research and to carry on the legacy of Paige Arnold.

In 1993, Arnold was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 6 years old. The Palmer Elementary School student underwent a bone marrow transplant, but complications ultimately led to her death in August 1994, per the organization’s website.

Three years later — what would have been Arnold’s last year of elementary school — teachers from Palmer wanted to honor her. With permission from Arnold’s parents, Chris and Ellen, teachers organized a walk to carry on her legacy. The event was named “Paige’s Butterfly Run,” since Paige loved butterflies and loved ones said she was gentle but strong — just like a butterfly.

Beginning as a small communal event at Palmer Elementary, Paige’s Butterfly Run now unites people from all around the Syracuse area to fill the streets of downtown each June, and has since paved the way for events like the Clams 4 Cures Clambake and Pedaling 4 Paige.

Mary Kate Intaglietta, executive director of Paige’s Butterfly Run, said the inclusion of these two events was vital to the organization.

“Pedaling 4 Paige and the Clams 4 Cures Clambake were added to diversify our portfolio of events,” she said, in an email, “and to raise additional funds to support our mission.”

Funds raised from these events go directly to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and are used to support childhood cancer research and provide assistance to families bearing the financial burden of medical costs.

As with all of their events, after the expenses from organizing Pedaling 4 Paige are paid for, Paige’s Butterfly Run Inc. invests the remaining funds into a range of initiatives that help keep Paige’s story alive while benefiting the community.

Altogether, the organization raised more than $343,000 in 2018 — $215,000 after the event and organizational expenses — for the different funds that support the current and future families impacted by childhood cancer, said Samantha Cooper, an account executive for Hill Communications, a student-run PR firm. Through the firm, Cooper helps represent Paige’s Butterfly Run.

The importance of that money cannot be undermined, Cooper said, adding that the story behind this organization exemplifies a major aspect of what Syracuse is as a community.

“The organization was created in memory of Paige, a member of the Syracuse community,” Cooper said, in an email. “It benefits the patients at the Children’s Hospital, which is also closely connected to SU.”

Cooper encourages SU students to attend Pedaling 4 Paige on Saturday. She said there will not only be the opportunity to get in a good workout, but the event will also include spinning classes with professional instructors and will be catered by Panera Bread.

Talia Simmons, an account supervisor for Hill Communications, echoed Cooper’s sentiment, adding that she doesn’t see why someone wouldn’t want to go. Simmons pointed to the fact that this event is so close to campus and is an easy way to have fun while accomplishing something to help make the world a better place.

“By enjoying themselves with friends,” Simmons said, in an email, “they are able to support local children and families during one of the most difficult times they will ever face and can sleep knowing their money will have a direct effect.”

It’s important to recognize that this is a local, not a national, organization, Simmons said. Donations impact the local community by benefitting people in Syracuse, making every dollar donated all the more meaningful.

“There are so many ways to be involved with Paige’s Butterfly Run,” Cooper said, “from local families running and cycling to raise money, to students attending fun events with their friends while knowing that they are supporting an important cause.”

Published on March 22, 2019 at 10:19 pm

gfpagano@syr.edu