SAN ANTONIO – Thanksgiving Day usually means eating too much turkey and pie, but for those looking to burn a few calories this weekend there is a great chance to also help a local nonprofit.
The seventh annual Santa Antonio 5K walk and run is Sunday.
The event is organized by the B.I.S.H. Foundation, short for believers inspiring survivors for hope.
The foundation’s president, Darlene Gonzalez, has been busy getting ready for the big day. She is expecting 800 people dressed as Santa to run the streets of downtown San Antonio.
"We have people who are out here for the fun of it because it is fun, coming out here and running around in a Santa suit and seeing that many Santas all in one place is quite a visual," she said.
For Gonzalez, the mission is personal. Her mother, Linda, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008.
"We went to MD Anderson in Houston and because of them I had my mom for another four years,” Gonzalez said. “It was that experience at that hospital and everything that she went through and the people there were just so caring and compassionate. They have so much knowledge with everything that they do. We wanted to do something to try to help make a difference for other people that are having to go through that."
Gonzalez’ mother passed away in 2012, but the race has given her a way remember and honor her.
She also hope it gives participants an opportunity to remember their loved ones and to honor those people who have survived cancer.
Organizers said they have been able to donate $165,000 for cancer research in the past six years.
"The experience with my mom will always be near and dear to me, but just having other people out here and sharing their stories and their experiences. They're out here in remembrance of somebody (and) it helps you to give you the extra motivation to do what we're doing."
All the proceeds go to research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The race kicks off at 9 a.m. Sunday. Click here to register.