NICU Nurse to Run Half Marathon Honoring Infants
Chaela Kizer will carry the names of hundreds of deceased infants on her vest during Saturday's race.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Babies
Chaela Kizer, a NICU nurse at Saint Luke's, will participate in the Garmin Kansas City half marathon this Saturday. During the 13.1-mile race, she will wear a vest decorated with bracelets bearing the names of hundreds of babies who have passed away.
Why it matters
Kizer runs to honor the memory of her son, Sawyer McClung, who died from SIDS on October 15, 2025, at 83 days old. The initiative serves as a tribute to families coping with the loss of an infant or miscarriage.
Kizer is set to complete the 13.1-mile course this Saturday while carrying the names of hundreds of infants. Her son Sawyer McClung was 83 days old at the time of his passing.
The players
Chaela Kizer
She is a NICU nurse at Saint Luke's who advocates for families dealing with infant loss.
Saint Luke's
This is a prominent healthcare provider in the region where Kizer serves as a nurse.
Sawyer McClung
He was the son of Chaela Kizer who passed away from SIDS.
The details
Kizer hand-creates the memorial bracelets herself and plans to mail them to the respective families following the conclusion of the race. She intends to honor both infants who died in early childhood and those lost through miscarriage.
Timeline
October 15, 2025: Sawyer McClung died.
October 17, 2026: Garmin Kansas City half marathon race day.
Culture Shift
Kizer's effort follows the established pattern of the grief-centered charity running movement to provide emotional support to bereaved parents. This trend reflects a broader societal move toward public, community-based expressions of mourning for early infant loss.
Residents attending or participating in the Garmin Kansas City half marathon will see Kizer wearing the memorial vest during the race. Kizer will mail the bracelets to the affected families once the event is complete, extending the impact beyond the race route.
The takeaway
Memorial initiatives like this provide a tangible way for parents to remember their children during public events. Supporters can honor this effort by recognizing the significance of such personal tributes within the community.
Further reading
Learn more about local support networks in Kansas City Babies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSHB 41 Kansas City News.
