Duo runs for children’s health
In an effort to keep children healthy, a father-daughter duo are running about 30 miles a day. Their mission: run across the state of North Dakota in 12 days and raise awareness and funds for the Caring for Children program in the process. Elliott Kabanuk and his daughter, Elisha Kubanuk, both of Fargo, share a duty and an open road. The two split the 30 or so miles each day into 5-mile on-and-off shifts each morning. One runs, one follows behind in the red and black Ford Expedition.
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In an effort to keep children healthy, a father-daughter duo are running about 30 miles a day.
Their mission: run across the state of North Dakota in 12 days and raise awareness and funds for the Caring for Children program in the process.
Elliott Kabanuk and his daughter, Elisha Kubanuk, both of Fargo, share a duty and an open road. The two split the 30 or so miles each day into 5-mile on-and-off shifts each morning. One runs, one follows behind in the red and black Ford Expedition.
The two stopped in Jamestown over the weekend and raised funds at Jamestown’s Pizza Ranch Saturday night.
“It’s not about us, it’s about the kids,” Elliott said Sunday.
Their cause, the Caring for Children program, provides health care for North Dakota children who are uninsured but don’t qualify for assistance from Medicaid or Healthy Steps (also known as CHIP). The cost of the Caring for Children program is about $360 per child per year. Care includes routine and primary care, limited inpatient hospital care, immunizations, mental health and substance abuse care and primary and preventative dental care.
Children qualify if they are under age 19 and meet citizenship and income eligibility requirements.
About 11,000 children in the state are uninsured, according to the North Dakota Caring Foundation, which offers the Caring for Children program.
That number is “ridiculous,” Elliott said, saying some families are “working poor.” They hold jobs and yet still can’t afford health insurance for their children, he said. Elliott worked in the insurance business, selling life, disability and health policies. He said he’s seen what a lack of insurance can do to families.
Now, Elliott works for Lutheran Social Services in Fargo. Elisha owns her own business called World of Officiating.
The Kabanuks don’t know how much money they’ve raised so far, their only goal is to finish healthy.
“It’s been an adventure. So far it’s been fun,” Elisha said.
Motorists along Interstate 94 may notice them along the median between Elderidge and Sanborn between 6 a.m. and noon today or between Sanborn and Buffalo during those hours Tuesday. If you see them, honks and waves are appreciated, Elisha said.
“That gives us a little boost believe it or not,” she said.
The duo plans to finish in Fargo on Thursday.
To give to the Caring for Children Cause, mail it to Caring for Children, 4510 13th Ave. S., Fargo, ND, 58121. Donors may also give via PayPal at http://runnorthdakota.com.
Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com
Tags: north dakota, news, running, fccnetwork
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