Honorees - Amy Thompson Run

Amy Jeanne Thompson
Amy Thompson began Halloween night, 1986, similar to many other 23-year-olds. She was pretty, bright, funny with a contagious laugh, a loyal and inclusive friend, accomplished runner, tennis player and pianist. A Chi Omega, she had recently graduated from KU and was thrilled to teach her first class of third graders. The sixth child of 11 in a large and very close family, Amy offered so much potential and desire to improve the world. By 10 p.m. that Halloween night, nearly everything had changed. In the company of three friends, Amy was twice shot in the head in an attempted robbery as she left a neighborhood party.

Against tremendous odds, she survived major surgeries and a six-week coma. For more than three years, Amy fought the battle of living life after a brain injury. She approached each day with perseverance and faith, and her spirit gave hope and inspiration to all. Despite her injuries, Amy did use her short life to complete her mission and improve the world. In the worst of circumstances, she was an example of courage and forgiveness. Amy died unexpectedly on Christmas night, 1989, at the age of 26. On Memorial Day 1988, Amy's friends, led by Molly Scanlon, organized the first Run to Daylight. Since then, the Run in Amy's memory has raised more than $1.5 million to help all people with brain injury.

Scott Ward
Scott Ward is one of those blessed people who always seemed to have everything going for him. A native Kansas Citian and graduate of KU, Scott's trademark smile attracted a wide network of friends. Tall, handsome, naturally athletic, he was born to win. After achieving an MBA from University of Texas, Scott went on to gain more renown as the Co-President of Russell Stover Candies and Whitman Candies. He married a beautiful and adoring wife Alison in 1982 and eventually added three great sons. But what Scott really had going for him was yet to be fully revealed.

On Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, Scott was enjoying the weekend with his family at their hunting lodge. While fabricating a decoy, a spaghetti-thin decoy rod came loose and jettisoned into the orbit surrounding Scott’s right eye, piercing through to the right hemisphere of his brain. Scott instinctively and immediately pulled the rod out but the damage to his brain had already been done. Thankfully his oldest son, Brian, was with Scott at the time of the accident and was able to summon help quickly. Though conscious, Scott had lost all movement and vision on his left side and could only wait for the EMTs to arrive and whisk him to St. Luke’s Hospital; meanwhile, the risk of infection and bleeding within his brain put him at grave risk.

Throughout the ensuing months, Scott proved what those close to him already knew: his incredible attitude and determination would never accept defeat. Scott wasn't just the product of fortune; he would settle for nothing less than his ultimate effort. Scott's perseverance left doctors amazed, lacking explanation for how he regained use of a leg he couldn't then feel or how he made such amazing strides following massively devastating injury. Today, with the support and admiration of his family and friends, Scott continues to improve as he has not only returned to work but now drives himself to his office at Russell Stover Candies.

Though Scott may acknowledge changes after his accident, he does so with humor, faith and a quiet resolve to continue the fight. His modesty and gentleness of spirit masks the soul of a champion fighter; no one better typifies Amy Thompson's indomitable spirit, faith and perseverance. His courageous example in response to daunting challenge is an inspiration reminiscent of Amy, placing him in good company as the 21st Annual Honoree of the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight.

Troops
Especially on Memorial Day, we want to remember all of our servicemen and women returning from war in the Middle East. Sadly, brain injury is currently the number one source of residual harm to vets, particularly as the byproduct of often-used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). As Americans we thank them for their sacrifice, encourage them on their road to recovery and pledge our support through programs and organizations such as BIA. We salute and acknowledge you as heroes and honorees of the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight 2008.

Larry Moore
In his 21st year as honorary chairperson of the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight, Larry Moore has played a key role in the growth of this event. Larry Moore anchors the award-winning 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. news on KMBC-Channel 9.