By Anna Skinner

When a child gets diagnosed with cancer, there are more struggles to overcome than just the disease itself.

The Emily Yott Foundation, established in 2007, helps families with all the extra obstacles that come with their child being diagnosed. This extra help can include anything from out of pocket medical expenses to utility bills or parking at the hospital.

Stephanie Yott, president of The Emily Yott Foundation, knows firsthand what having a child with cancer entails. Her daughter, Emily, was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia when she was 1 and died 14 months later.

“When our daughter was sick she was in the hospital pretty straight for six months without coming home,” Yott said. “We want to do anything to help (parents of a child with cancer) because most of the time when you have a child with cancer one or both parents can’t work.”

So, she established the Emily Yott Foundation, and the Emily Yott Foundation Carnival and Fun Run will come to Grand Park on Aug. 29 to raise funds for children with cancer.

Two children from the community who have cancer, Elliot Ogle with leukemia and Oni Davenport who has brain cancer, will be at the event as guests of honor.

A fun run will take place before the carnival begins at 9 a.m. at Grand Park. The foundation receives half of the profits from the run. The carnival begins immediately afterwards, taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Various activities for all ages of children will be available at the carnival, including a 220-foot zip line, bounce houses, a magician, carnival games and more. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for the parents as well.

Wristbands that include all events, excluding the zip line, cost $20. A zip line wristband costs $10. Food and beverages are separate. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to families in need.

Yott said the fundraiser originally started out as a lemonade stand and continued to escalate. This is the seventh year the family is putting it on.

“I would encourage everyone to come to our event, not only to have a great family day at beautiful Grand Park, but to also support the families right here in Central Indiana who are struggling with childhood cancer,” Yott said. “It’s hard to understand the devastating effect of childhood cancer unless you’ve walked in their shoes. We just want to take away some of their financial worry so the families can focus on taking care of their critically ill child.”

To sign up for the Fun Run or to learn more, visit www.emilyyottfoundation.com/events.