Pay It Forward: Caleb Hiatt and Thrivers’ Monster Mile Run
A young man’s mother died of breast cancer recently. Now he’s using her legacy to give back and help others who are fighting the same disease. KIDK Eyewitness News 3 anchor Todd Kunz wanted to see how people could get involved, and he wanted to Pay It Forward.
Annette Hiatt died of breast cancer July 3 at the young age of 61. Her husband, Mike Hiatt, said she had breast cancer 27 years ago. Then the disease went into remission for 20 years, he said, but it came back. She fought it for about two years and three months, Mike said, but the cancer had metastasized to her lungs and even took her voice. Mike said she lived every day to the fullest.
“That’s why she lived over two years when she wasn’t even expected to go even a year, was that every day was a new opportunity to live and to do things and to help others and to make a difference. She truly lived that kind of life,” he said.
Her son Caleb Hiatt is now carrying the torch. He vowed to take his mother’s legacy and make a difference in the lives of others, just like his mother did. So he has been busy organizing a fundraiser run and event to benefit breast cancer research.
“We’re honoring people who are living life to the fullest despite having a terminal illness and that very much embodies what my mom did. She checked off her bucket list and she lived with no regrets,” said Caleb Hiatt.
The research comes from the volunteer-led nonprofit called Metavivor. It targets people who have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Josh Harward sits on Hiatt’s local committee.
“It’s about closing the window and turning some of the people that are in stage 4 into stage 3, making it more likely for them to survive,” said Harward.
People all over the world have expressed interest in coming to the event. Caleb Hiatt said people from Texas, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and even someone from Malaysia have contacted him about coming.
“Just the chance to create something bigger than myself. You know, I like things that go beyond me. This is going to touch thousands of lives and to say that I had a part in that? Like, you know, that’s, that’s awesome,” said Caleb Hiatt.
“What would mom say?” asked Kunz.
“Um, you know. She was pretty excited about it. And we knew she wouldn’t make it, but she was proud. And we’re going to pull off an event that would make her proud and celebrate her and everything she stood for,” said Caleb Hiatt.
Time to Pay It Forward.
“Caleb, how are you?” said a man who walked up and interrupted the conversation between Caleb Hiatt and Kunz.
“Good,” said Hiatt.
“Good. I’m Kory, with Mountain American Credit Union,” said the man.
“Oh, hi,” said Hiatt.
“We’ve heard about what you are doing and this really cool event that you are putting on and also the heartache you went through in the last little bit and the awareness that you are raising for our community. And so, for that, we’re here to Pay it Forward. So I’ve brought with me today, $500 in cash,” said Kory Carling, pulling out an envelope of cash.
“Oh, my gosh!” said Hiatt.
“That I know you can use to continue your raising awareness for this community and continue to spread good sound awareness and put on an awesome event for our community and so on behalf of Mountain America Credit Union, we’d like to Pay it Forward,” said Carling.
“Thank you,” said Hiatt.
“You’re welcome,” said Carling.
Hiatt hugged Carling and said, Thank you.
“You’re welcome,” said Carling.
“Thank you so much,” said Mike Hiatt.
“You’re welcome,” said Carling.
“This is great,” said Caleb Hiatt.
“You betcha,” said Carling.
“This. Wow,” said Caleb Hiatt, at a loss for words.
The Thrivers’ Monster Mile 5K and Fun Run will be Saturday., Oct. 12. Check-in will be at 8 a.m. The event will be held at McCowin Park in Ammon on Midway Avenue. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.
Register here or find more information on the group’s Facebook page.
There will also be a mascot mad dash. Area high schools and businesses have been invited to bring their mascots and participate in a 100-meter race for a trophy.
Food vendors will also be there.
Caleb Hiatt said he already has the 2020 run date set, hoping this will be an annual event.
“Pay It Forward” airs the second Wednesday of every month. If you know of a nonprofit organization or someone who deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the area, click on “Pay It Forward” on the right side of our website and fill out the form, or send an email to KIDK Eyewitness News 3 anchor Todd Kunz at tkunz@kidk.com.
