September 27, 2025

walk the lake for kira faith

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The Spedale family, in collaboration with the Forbeck Foundation, will be hosting the annual Walk the Lake for Kira Faith on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Reid Park Pavilion in Fontana, WI.
Kira Faith Spedale

How it all started

Kira Faith Spedale was an 11-year-old triplet and resident of Elmhurst, IL and Fontana, WI. Kira loved Lake Geneva, where she first learned to swim and spend long summer days with her family. In May 2013, Kira was diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain stem tumor called DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) and endured a pioneering fight. Join us to celebrate Kira’s life with music, laughter, raffles and fun when we Walk the Lake!

‍The Forbeck Foundation began in memory of Billy Guy Forbeck, who died of Neuroblastoma in 1984. The Foundation has hosted scientific forums for over 35 years, with many of those meetings being held in Lake Geneva, WI. Walk the Lake funded one of these forums on DIPG in 2019. The proceeds from this year's Walk the Lake will fund an upcoming brain tumor meeting in 2025. Events such as these are crucial to supporting researchers who focus on rare cancers.

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sponsorships & donations

Join us in remembering these strong warriors by walking the lake, donating a raffle item, or sponsoring the event. We rely on supporters like you to continue our efforts in advancing cancer research through collaboration.
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Walk the Lake for Kira Faith

donations @ work

The proceeds from this year's Walk the Lake will fund an upcoming brain tumor meeting we will hold in 2025 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Chaired by Laura Banaszynski, PhD, a basic science researcher, and Jay Sarthy, MD, PhD, a pediatric oncologist, both recipients of Forbeck Scholar Awards. This meeting also has the strong support of Dr. Nada Jabado, a pre-eminent scholar in the field of histone biology in cancer. This is expected to be a world-class meeting with a diverse group of scientists seeking to improve outcomes for children with cancer.

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  • Jessica Foster, MD
    Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Nneka Mbah, PhD
    University of Michigan
  • Cassie Kline, MD, MAS
    UC San Francisco
  • Jay Sarthy, PhD
    Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

event schedule

Registration is from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Reid Park Pavilion in Fontana, Wisconsin. There are three different walks of various lengths along beautiful Lake Geneva’s public path allowing for participation at different skill levels.

Please check-in at least 15 minutes before your start time.

  • 9:00 AM
    Start - Full Lake Walk
  • 12:30 PM
    Bus from Reid Park to Lake Geneva for 10 Mile Walk
  • 3:00 PM
    Start - 3 Mile Fun Walk
  • 4:00 - 6:00 PM
    Refreshments and Snacks at Chuck's
Fontana Wisconsin

logistics

Have you ever thought of walking around the entire lake or even just part but nervous about the logistics?  Have no fear, we are here to help!  There will be information handed out at registration regarding places to get water, stop for bathrooms, snacks, and if you feel like you would like to get picked up, we have volunteers ready to get you and bring you back to Fontana.

Contact Jamie (773-425-5980) to arrange a ride from the path!  
Let’s all get out there and go as far as we can for Kira Faith!

Walk the Lake for Kira Faith
‍638 Aweogon Road | Fontana, Wisconsin 53125

IRS file number 580063499
wgfrf.org | forbeckforums.org