Charity Challenge for Sgt John Cain Set for April
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 24, 2016)–The Sgt John Cain Comeback Charity
Challenge 5k is set for Friday evening, April 8th at 6:30 pm at JF Gregory Park, with the list of
sponsorships growing, according to race directors, Ron and Sandra Elliott of Georgia Game
Changers Running Company.
The race will benefit Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) Sergeant
John Cain, a Richmond Hill resident, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sgt Cain became an international hero when he helped a local injured, runner, Robert McCoy,
who had fallen, across the finish line of the 2015 Savannah Rock and Roll Half Marathon in
November. The photos, video, and story was picked up by national and international TV
stations and images of the two crossing the finish line went viral.
In December, Sgt Cain went to the emergency room with severe pain, and it was there he found
out he had pancreatic cancer.
His daughter, Shania, began a campaign to raise funds to cover the cost of the treatments,
establishing a Go Fund Me link. The goal was $200,000, and so far over $33,000 have been
raised. The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/ukhtgr8c
Local business in the greater Savannah area have become generous sponsors of the race,
which now has four Platinum level sponsors. Love’s Seafood was the first to join in, followed by
Coastal Empire Plastic Surgery, Circa Lighting of Savannah, and Georgia Game Changers
Running Company. Liberty Regional Medical recently became a Gold level Sponsor, and
Chu’s Market of Richmond Hill a Silver Sponsor. River Street Sweets, Nine Line Apparel, Roll
Recovery, and Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurants are Bronze Sponsors.
“I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers and support in both the communities of
Bryan and Chatham Counties, since I began dealing with this illness. With the upcoming race,
we hope to raise enough money to help with medical bills and other expenses,” said Sgt. John
Cain added, “Any money not used in the treatment of my cancer, will be given to the Pancreatic
Cancer Research Center.”
Georgia Game Changers Running Company met Sgt Cain when they contacted him following
the Rock and Roll Race, and offered up a free pair of running shoes. Sgt Cain chose a Newton
Running Shoe and had begun training with his sister, Stacy Cain Armstrong, with the goal of
completing the entire half-marathon in this year’s Rock and Roll Half Marathon.
Sandra Elliott, owner of Game Change, also began a challenge to the community to help raise
additional funds for the race. She is dedicating all of her miles run in the month of March to Sgt
Cain, and then donating a $1. per mile for each mile run to the GoFundMe cause.
“I am hoping others will join me in this challenge, as well help to spread the word about the 5K
race in April. We hope to get the Richmond Hill and other local police officers to join the race
and challenge each other as well,” said Elliott.
The race logo came about as a joint effort between Elliott’s daughter, Amanda, and Richmond
Hill resident, Jacy Vergara, who took a pen drawing from Amanda and turned it into the final
logo. The logo represents not only Sgt Cain’s dedication to the Savannah Chatham Police
Department, but also his battle to win over pancreatic cancer and to a true COMEBACK.
John’s family, his sons, George and Jake, his daughter Shania, his sister, Stacy, and his wife,
Karma, joined him to kick off the event on Monday at Game Changers.
Each of John’s children expressed their gratitude for the support of their dad. According to
George Cain, “Thank you” just doesn’t seem adequate to express our gratefulness for the love
and support of so many, both locally and across the nation.”
Shania Cain added, “Ever since I was little, I have been ‘daddy’s little angel.’ He has always
been my hero, and has been there for me to rely upon. Now it is time to return to favor. My dad
is a game changer. I love him to the moon and back.”
Owners of Love’s Seafood, Fulton and Donna Love, have already jumped on board as the Title
Sponsors of the race, with other local businesses also pledging their support.
Donna Love, said “Love’s Seafood & Steaks is so excited to be the Title Sponsor to help ONE
OF OUR OWN. Not only is John one of our own, but has gone beyond his profession of serving
and protecting us. It is now time for us to try and help protect him with all we can.
Jake Cain, echoed that by saying “I am thankful for the opportunity to raise money for a great
” We are Cains,” he added, “and Cains never give up. We are thankful that Georgia Game
Changers is helping us to put this race together.”
The after party and awards ceremony will be held at Georgia Game Changers Running
Company in Richmond Hill.
The Charity Challenge is to get runners/walkers to donate their logged MARCH running or
walking miles to Sgt Cain and raise funds to match their miles! Race registration is available at
www.savannahraces.com. Race Day registration will be held at JF Gregory Park in Richmond
Hill from 4 pm to 6:00 pm. Call Georgia Game Changers for more information. 912-445-2163.