Salina Journal: Runners for Gunar battle mid-summer heat

By Joe McKenzie

On Saturday morning, as temperatures climbed into the 90′s for another blistering July day, around 100 runners, volunteers and joggers stretched and smiled knowing they were about to help Gunar Reed have a great day.

This was the fifth annual Runners for Gunar’s Sake, organized by Mark and Kristi Weiss, of rural Salina. 

“Gunar has immune deficiency syndrome,” said his mother, Shana Reed. “He’s homebound most of the time. His doctors don’t want him anywhere near sick people since he has no immune system.”

But Gunar was there on Saturday to see runners, friends and family. Gunar, otherwise known as G-Man, is on oxygen full time these days.

The Reeds moved to Kansas City about 12 years ago to be closer to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where Gunar was becoming a regular.

He was born with immune deficiency syndrome, plus heart problems. He has been diagnosed with liver and lung disease. In addition to three open-heart surgeries, Gunar has had 32 other surgeries. He also has severe osteoporosis.

Read the full story via the Salina Journal

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