On Saturday, June 30, a 5k run/walk will be held as a fundraiser for two-year-old Teagan Klingenberg of Ballston Spa.

Teagan, who is the daughter of Holly and Juergen Klingenberg, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in February. She is currently being treated at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

The event is being organized by Jacqueline Scotti of Ballston Spa, who got the idea after running two half marathons and completing training through Team in Training, an organization run by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“I had to raise $4,000 to go to the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon,” Scotti said. “I figured that if I could raise $4,000 and give it to an organization, I could do an event and help a local family.”

Scotti heard about Teagan through the grapevine, she said, and was immediately drawn to her story.

“When I went to the [family’s] Web site, I saw and read about how great this family was and that cancer can strike at any moment,” she said. “Everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another.”

Determined to help, Scotti approached Teagan’s family and asked if she could hold a race in her name.

“They are so very nice, warm and loving,” Scotti said. “When I asked the family if I could do the 5k, they were so excited and still are. They consistently show and give me support.”

Approximately 11,930 people in the United States are diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) each year, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Web site.

AML is not hereditary, but rather results from acquired damage to the DNA of developing cells in the bone marrow. The cause of AML remains unknown, although several risk factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals and types of radiation, are thought to contribute.

The disease causes abnormal cells, called “leukemic blasts,” to grow and accumulate uncontrollably and block the production of normal marrow cells. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, tendency to bleed and bruise more easily, mild fever, swollen gums and frequent infections.

Teagan, who celebrated her second birthday on June 18, recently began her fourth round of chemotherapy treatments. The proceeds from the run/walk will help alleviate her family’s expenses.

The race will begin at 9 a.m. at the warming hut at Saratoga State Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the cost is $25 per person or $50 per family of three or more. There will be prizes for the top three finishers, as well as free Team Teagan t-shirts for the first 100 people to register.

“It’s a healthy, fun way to get people involved,” Scotti said. “I would love for this to become an annual event.”

If you can’t make it to the race but would like to help out, visit www.teamteagan.com, where you can make a donation or learn other ways to lend a hand. The Web site also contains updates on Teagan’s treatment and progress.