Princess Warrior 5K draws a crowd to Wadena
News | Published on September 30, 2025 at 1:20pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0By Jenny Hoppe
Correspondent
Courage, hope, strength and community came together Saturday morning, Sept. 27, as approximately 550 people participated in the 14th annual Princess Warrior 5K Run, Walk, Roll Stroll or Crawl.
The day began with same-day registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by introductions of Miss Minnesota Emma Vrieze, Miss Teen Minnesota Lily Geyer and the recognition of 13 local childhood cancer honorees and their families. The 5K started at about 10 a.m.
The event honored 13 children and their families fighting the “cancer bully.” including Ryan Capp, a 13-year-old boy from Albany who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Zoe Curtis, a 20-year-old girl from Wadena who was also diagnosed with ALL; Allison Dotzler, a nine-year-old from Clarissa diagnosed with ALL; Preston Ferrel, a seven-year-old from Wadena also diagnosed with ALL; Everly Martinson, a five-year-old girl from Fergus Falls diagnosed with Neuroblastoma; Ivy McKane, a six-year-old girl from Bertha diagnosed with ALL; Caleb Prushek, six-year-old boy from Wadena who passed away on August 15, 2025 from Neuroblastoma; Ashley Robben, a 20-year-old girl from Staples with Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Clark Sadlo, a four-year-old boy from McClusky, North Dakota diagnosed with ALL; Becca Sanders, a 13-year-old girl from Wadena diagnosed with ALL; Evy Spencer, five-year-old girl from Nimrod diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor in her kidney; Roman Sullivan, an 11-year-old boy from Staples diagnosed with ALL. Cadence Smith, a nine year old girl from Fergus Falls diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
And also honored with a moment of silence were the nine Honored Warriors that have passed away since the beginning of the Princess Warrior events.
After the 5K event, participants stayed for an afternoon of carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting, shopping at the Jane Store, lunch served by the Wadena Lions and treats from local vendors.
The Princess Warrior Foundation was created in memory of Jane Fiemeyer, who lost her battle with leukemia at age eight. Fourteen years later, her mother, Jil Lorentz Fiemeyer, continues to carry forward Jane’s dream of helping families facing childhood cancer. Since its beginning, the 501 (c)(3)foundation has honored children in treatment, awarded grants to families, distributed care packages, given scholarships and supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and CureSearch Organizations. Saturday’s event carried special meaning, as it would have been Jane’s 22nd birthday. Many tears were shed and hugs exchanged as Jil reminded participants that birthdays are a privilege, not a promise.
Community partnerships also played a large role in the event. This year’s partners included Owly Coffee, Two-Ten Cakes, Canoe Paddle Kettle Corn, Minnesota Lakes Foods, the WDC Honor Society promoting their upcoming Blood Drive and the Astera Health Cancer Center.
“We’re so grateful to our partners, volunteers and everyone who shows up for these kids,” Jil said. “Together, we’re raising awareness, fighting cancer and lifting families with love—all the things that Jane asked us to do before she died.”
Organizers extended their gratitude to the community, the Princess Warrior committee members and the many volunteers who made the day possible.