• Frances Kaneene at one of the many races she participated in.

LANSING - The Greater Lansing Community is coming together to launch a new 5K in celebration of the life of Frances Kaneene.

Kaneene was an active member in the community and an academic advisor at Michigan State University that lost her battle with cancer last year.

“My fondest memories of my mom is how selfless she was and how community oriented she was,” said Frances’ daughter, Tessa Kaneene. “She and I, had a special thing where we volunteered at a women’s shelter in Lansing together.”

Tessa also said her mother would frequently invite international students and other students into their home on holidays like Thanksgiving.

Her mother’s impact on the MSU and Greater Lansing community led to the creation of a scholarship for students to travel abroad.

“We were so touched that she actually knew about it before she died that Michigan State University opened up a scholarship in her name,” said Tessa. “Her students were her heart and soul, so the scholarship will go to students that she loved and students to come.”

The first annual Frances Kaneene 5K and Festival will be held on Sept. 12, from 9 am to 1 pm at Hawk Island in Lansing and the money raised will go into her scholarship at MSU.

“In addition to a 5k, it’s going to be a walk and a run people from all ages,” said Tessa. “We will also have food trucks from all of her favorite restaurants, and it’ll be really MSU focused from the MSU drumline, to cheer team, to dance team, cappella groups, jazz and other artist that are close to us.”

Tessa also said the event will be family oriented with games and activities for kids to participate in as well.

For more information or to donate, people can visit the link below.