This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Teen Fought the Good Fight; Now A Benefit 5K Run Sat., Doubletree Hotel

St. Jude benefit on Saturday is in memory of Christopher Zandstra's lifelong fight against cancer.

Two days after local 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.

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

Find out what's happening in Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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 Hotel in Chesterfield where the benefit-fundraiser will be Saturday morning

Find out what's happening in Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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. Sat., Sept. 24 with The Encore Band kicking off the festivities.

The Club at Chesterfield is within the Doubletree Hotel, located at 16625 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield.

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

For more information, call 636-532-9992 or visit the website www.clubatchesterfield.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Chesterfield