'Team Ali': Race held for young mother battling cancer

While a prayer is being said, Ethan Puckett, standing, and his wife Ali, sitting, are part of the 75 participants in Sunday's "Ray of Hope 5K" run/walk for Ali.
While a prayer is being said, Ethan Puckett, standing, and his wife Ali, sitting, are part of the 75 participants in Sunday's "Ray of Hope 5K" run/walk for Ali.

On this misty, cool March Sunday, 75 racers gathered to run for Ali.

Some wanted a win for themselves, but all wanted Ali Puckett to win.

She's a 22-year-old mother who, after recently giving birth to her and her husband Ethan's second child, was discovered to have cancer. The race and concern is for a miracle.

"Ali has such power," race co-organizer Monica Beeman said. "She shares her testimony with everyone and has impacted the whole town. Everyone flocks to her."

Signs have appeared all around for the Queen City resident and school graduate.

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STAFF PHOTO SAMANTHA BAKER • @NWASAMANTHA Taylor Easley of Rogers Heritage scoops up a ground ball hit to short stop on April 25 during the game against Fayetteville at Lady Dawg Yard in Fayetteville.

Atlanta High cheerleaders recently designed a support T-shirt and quickly sold 80 online.

A benefit beauty pageant is planned for April 21.

In the meantime, Beeman and Kayla Mills organized a 5K run and walk fundraiser that drew supporters from Texarkana as well.

"Wherever she goes, people just love her. We all do," Beeman said.

In his remarks before the race, husband Ethan said, "We've come to see this is bigger than us. That it is God's message to the people to run this race of endurance."

Many T-shirts worn by participants had words saying they were part of "team Ali."

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