Kensi's Run: Poker run for Saturday, June 22, to benefit Napoleon child with brain tumor

On May 8, Kensley Brooks turned 5 years old.

Like many children her age, she delights in activities like jumping and climbing, staying active and remaining full of energy.

However, it's been quite the journey for the new 5-year-old since March 22 — almost three months ago.

That was the date on which Brooks, a Napoleon resident, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor. At the time, she was 4.

Since her diagnosis, which was discovered through an MRI after she had been experiencing back pain and headaches, Brooks and her family have spent weeks upon weeks at hospitals and medical centers, including traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, for seven weeks of daily radiation treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She has had one brain surgery already, which removed most of the tumor, but the cancer has metastasized to other areas of her brain and spine.

She still has a long battle ahead of her as she endures further radiation and chemotherapy, which is scheduled to start in about four weeks and more locally at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Medulloblastoma can happen at any age, but most often occurs in young children, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though rare, it is the most common cancerous brain tumor in children. Symptoms include dizziness, double vision, headaches, nausea, poor coordination, tiredness, unsteady walk and vomiting.

“She is one spunky little girl and is doing amazing despite everything going on,” said Janeana Sowders, Brooks’ aunt.

To assist with Brooks’ road to recovery and to offset medical costs while covering other expenses, an all-wheel poker run named Kensi’s Run, is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, starting and ending in Morenci at Morenci American Legion Post 368, 9010 Morenci Road.

As an all-wheel run, participants from near and far are welcome to ride on their motorcycle, drive in their car, truck, Jeep or whatever mode of transportation and visit five locations Saturday morning and into the afternoon.

Melisa Grigsby-Hutson, Brooks’ grandmother — or Mimi — is another of the organizers invested in the planning of Kensi’s Run.

Registration for the run is $25 and starts at 9 a.m. The run heads out from the Morenci Legion at 11 a.m. and the last poker card is drawn at 4 p.m.

A poker run is an organized event using a motorcycle, car or other form of transportation where participants travel over a predesignated route and, at designated stops on the route, draw playing cards. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run, which generally results in some form of prize.

Being a fundraiser, 100% of all proceeds from Kensi’s Run will go to the Brooks family.

“We are expecting a couple of hundred people,” Grigsby-Hutson said. “Without the (Morenci) Legion, this wouldn’t be possible. We’ve received a lot of help from the Legion and the Auxiliary.”

A 50/50 raffle, silent auction and provided food will be part of Saturday’s poker run, back at the Morenci Legion. Food is only available to those who pay at registration. A plate of food consists of pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans. The food is being prepared in anticipation of at least 350 guests.

“We are hoping for a really great turnout,” Sowders said. “If we get more (than 350 guests) it would be amazing.”

Music, karaoke, cornhole and “loads of fun” are also part of the party at the Legion.

After heading out from the Legion in the morning, Kensi’s Run will make stops at Hudson Leather, 14700 State Route 15, Pioneer, Ohio; Shea’Nanigans, 521 S. Meridian Road, Hudson; Highland Inn, 3171 Round Lake Highway, Manitou Beach; and Adrian Eagles, 2570 W. Beecher Road, Adrian, and then return to the Morenci Legion.

‘She acts like there is nothing wrong with her’

Family members and those advocating on behalf of Kensi Brooks have credited the young girl’s tenacious nature of not being slowed down by her medical plight.

Very soon after Mother’s Day in May, Brooks shaved her head after her hair started falling out because of the radiation therapy. She has an American Girl doll that also has its head shaved.

“She (got her head shaved) and even cleaned up her own hair in the parlor,” Sowders said.

The radiation is shrinking some of the cancer in her spine.

Her first surgery, which came three days after the initial diagnosis, limited some of Brooks’ mobility on the right side of her body. But with a strong-willed nature about her, she isn’t slowing down, Sowders said.

“She acts like there is nothing wrong with her. I think that has a lot to do with my sister (Jada Brooks) and her strength,” Sowders said. “It’s been a lot for all of us to process and a lot to handle.”

Kensi's sense of humor hasn’t taken a step back either.

“Kensi named her cancer Felicia so when she beats this and rings that bell, she can yell, ‘Bye, Felicia!’” Sowders said.

Kensi is one of four siblings. She and her identical twin sister, Kynlee, are “inseparable,” Sowders said. Kynlee, 5, is in good health.

Her other siblings are Brantley, 8, and Avary, 7. With school out of session for the summer, the Brooks family is enjoying as much home time together as possible before having to hit the road again for more appointments.

Jada and Matthew Brooks — mom and dad — are handling everything with grace, courage and poise, Grigsby-Hutson said.

“We can’t accept anything other than positivity,” she said. “(Kensi) is a fierce little warrior. That’s for sure.”

How you can help make a difference

Besides participating in Saturday’s poker run, people can still make an impact by donating to the Brooks family, even if it's something as simple as donating food, Sowders said.

Businesses in Jackson, Lenawee and Monroe counties have pitched in to make Saturday’s event possible. Individuals from these counties and beyond have pulled other strings, too.

For those who frequent Facebook, a Facebook page titled KensiStrong 5K Color Run details information about a 5K color run/walk being planned for July 27 in Brooklyn.

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With a $20 registration fee, all proceeds from the run also will be donated directly to the Brooks family. The registration cost includes an event T-shirt. The registration deadline is June 29. The 5K color run/walk will be at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, 160 N. Main St.

Kids 8 or younger can run for free.

“Join Kensi on her journey to the finish line,” a flyer for the color run says.

People also are welcome to directly contact Grigsby-Hutson or Sowders at 517-252-1146 and 517-270-8989, respectively, for any additional information.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Kensi's Run: Poker run for June 22 to benefit child with brain tumor