E46 | Project Outrun: Custom Kicks for Cancer Warriors

When a child battles cancer, they need more than just medicine – they need moments of joy, strength, and normalcy. That's exactly what Project Outrun delivers through their innovative approach to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families.

In this deeply moving conversation, Courtney Salyer, Director of Operations for Project Outrun, shares how this Ohio-based nonprofit transforms the lives of children fighting cancer across all 50 states. What began eight years ago with founder Andy Shepperd creating custom Nike shoes for one young cancer patient has blossomed into a nationwide movement that has provided thousands of personalized kicks to kids in hundreds of hospital systems.

The organization's brilliance lies in its "sport to heal" metaphor – rather than being defined as patients, children become "Outrun athletes" who receive not just custom shoes, but complete swag bags with medals, t-shirts proclaiming "I'm not sick, but my shoes are," and personalized paper finish lines where they can set and celebrate their own goals. The emotional highlight? Seeing kids break through those finish lines to celebrate achievements both medical and personal – from completing treatment to simply finishing second grade.

Courtney's own journey from Spanish teacher to nonprofit leader, illustrates how taking a leap of faith can lead to profoundly meaningful work. Her passion shines through as she details Project Outrun's signature event – the Faster Everyday Festival and 5K – where participants get a 4:01 head start (symbolizing the less than 4% of cancer funding that goes to pediatric research) before local elite runner Aiman Scullion gives chase.

Far more than just a race, this festival creates a celebratory space where Outrun families, supporters, and community members connect through carnival games, food, music, and shared purpose. It perfectly encapsulates what makes Project Outrun special – the understanding that helping kids with cancer means strengthening entire families and communities.

Visit projectoutrun.org to donate, register for their June 21st festival in Cuyahoga Falls, or learn how to create your own fundraiser campaign. Because when it comes to helping kids outrun cancer, we all have a role to play.