Paige Yeomans Arnold was a first grade student at Palmer Elementary School in Baldwinsville, NY, in the Spring of 1993 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Paige was treated at what is now The Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY, and eventually at Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Tragically, Paige died at Children’s Hospital in 1994 in the aftermath of a bone marrow transplant that had become the only hope for her survival.

In 1997 her parents were approached by a group of teachers at Palmer Elementary that wished to honor Paige in what would have been her last year at the school. In short order it was decided that a walk/run event would be organized. All proceeds were slated to benefit a college scholarship fund and the Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders in Paige’s memory. The butterfly was selected as the symbol of the event because she was fond of them, and because they typified her: beautiful and gentle, yet strong beyond imagining.

Paige’s Butterfly Run, Inc. was formed in 1999 as a not-for-profit New York 501©3 corporation dedicated to raising money for the battle against pediatric cancer and the funding of a college scholarship in Paige’s name at Baldwinsville’s Baker High. The now annual Paige’s Butterfly Run is the vehicle for this fundraising.

After running the event from 1997-2007 at Palmer Elementary, in 2008 Paige's Butterfly Run came to downtown Syracuse with the Taste of Syracuse Festival. Paige's Butterfly Run is comprised of three events: 1) a USAT&F certified 5K race through downtown Syracuse neighborhoods 2) a 3K fun run/walk using part of the 5K course, and 3) the 40-ft. "Caterpillar Crawl," a free, quick and fun scramble for kids five and under. Participants in the 5K and 3K events are encouraged to ask family and friends for sponsorships, with prizes awarded to the top individual and team fundraisers. There are age group awards for the 5K run and finishers ribbons for all participants in all events.

Please consider joining us for the next Paige’s Butterfly Run, either as a participant or as an individual or corporate sponsor. Help us make a difference in the lives of children in Central New York. Thank you.