Run to Benefit Children's Research, Honor Teen

Two days after West St. Louis County teenager Christopher Zandstra discovered liver cancer had spread to his lungs, he traveled to Spain with his friends from St. Louis University High School.

The teen would not let cancer ruin his life, friends said, and his memory will be honored on Saturday in Chesterfield during a 5K run and mile-long "fun walk" benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Some Wildwood residents said they plan to participate.

"He really inspired everyone and always kept a smile on his face," said Julie Laux with The Club at Chesterfield, which is hosting the benefit. "He always kept a positive attitude through everything."

Zandstra was four months old when he was diagnosed with cancer of the nervous system, and he battled cancer throughout his young life, before succumbing to the disease at the age of 16.

His mother, Diane Klenke, is a fitness instructor at The Club at the Doubletree Inn in Chesterfield where the benefit-fundraiser will be Saturday morning.

Wildwood resident Mary McCarthy said she has been attending exercise classes at The Club for the past 15 years or so, and that Klenke is her instructor. "She fought for that kid for years," she said, of Klenke.

"I'm really glad to see The Club sponor something in his name. His situation was very personal at The Club."

McCarthy, who has participated in triathlons, said the great environment at The Club provides the backdrop for long-term members who care about each other and want to work out together. "It's like a mini-family there."

She said going through the cancer battle with the Klenkes makes Saturday's run special in many ways.

It was uplifting to watch Zandstra never lose heart during his challenges with the disease, Laux said.

"He had a lot of obstacles, but he never, never let it get to him," Laux said. She said Zandstra had 18 surgeries along with chemotherapy and transplants during his lifetime.

When bone cancer demanded an amputation at age 12, Zandstra refused to let the use of a prosthetic leg limit him. He joined the tennis team at the beginning of his freshman year of high school—and went on to win many matches.

St. Jude was a natural choice to benefit in Zandstra's honor, Laux said.

"St. Jude was fabulous, and tremendously supportive of Christopher and his family," Laux said. "They do remarkable things for all children."

Before his death in 2007, Zandstra convinced his family he was not worried about anything, because he believed God was in charge, Laux said.

"He never let anything get him down. He had a very strong faith," Laux said. "He was a very inspiring young man."

The Club believes now is the time to recognize Zandstra with a benefit in his honor.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday with The Encore Band kicking off the festivities. The Club at Chesterfield is within the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 16625 Swingley Ridge Rd. in Chesterfield.

Admission of $20 per adult, and $10 per child will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.