CRANBERRY TWP — While Isabelle Christenson’s life was cut short, the annual family event in her name keeps growing.

The sixth annual Izzie’s Dash for Organ Donation takes place Saturday at North Boundary Park. It includes a 5K race at 8:30 a.m., a family-oriented fun walk at 9:30 a.m., kids activities, Chines auctions and food.

“It’s four times as big as it was when we started,” Dee Ann Johnson said of the event. “Our number of walkers has doubled and we’ve got more than 200 runners. We didn’t even have a 5K the first year.’

Johnson is one of the Izzie’s Dash coordinators and a longtime friend of the Christenson family.

Isabelle died six years ago at age 10. She received five organ transplants to extend her young life. Her death was not transplant-related.

“She was the spunkiest little girl ... Anyone who met (Isabelle) wanted to be friends with her, not because of her situation, but because of the kind of person she was,” Johnson said. “She was always looking on the bright side of life.

“Izzy was always appreciative of everything. Even when she was in pain, she never let that come to light. We surprised her with a 10th birthday party and she thanked every single person who attended.”

The purpose of Izzy’s Dash is to celebrate “the gift of life” and raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. Proceeds benefit Izzie’s Gifts of Hope Foundation.

That foundation awarded over $10,000 in college scholarships last year and enabled 200 people who are part of families with a child with a chronic illness to enjoy a day or night of entertainment locally.

“We call it creating a family memory,” Michelle Christenson, Izzie’s mother, said. “We’ve sent people on Halloween Fun cruises, to Disney On Ice, the Carnegie Science Center ... some type of fun family activity locally.

“Since we started this, we’ve given out more than $65,000 in scholarships. We’ve partnered with CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education) and Children’s Hospital to form a database of people to help.”

Entry fee for the 5K is $25. The walk is $20. All receive a T-shirt. Children 10-and-under may walk free, or for $10 to get a T-shirt.

Christenson said at least 50 volunteers will help run the event Saturday. Izzie’s Dash has use of the entire park. Businesses donate food and people donate baskets for the Chinese auction.

“So many people come forward, offering to help,” Christenson said. “We’ll have balloonists, magicians on hand ... It really is a family event.”

Her husband, Dan, daughters Maddie, 18, and Ari, 8, will be working the event Saturday as well.

“They’ve gotten their schools (Seneca Valley and Rowan Elementary) involved, too,” Christenson said.

Johnson said a group of approximately 12 volunteers have been meeting monthly since November and more frequently over the past month to prepare for Izzie’s Dash.

“We’re always tweaking, finding ways to make it better,” she said. “This day does a lot of good for a lot of people.”

The top three finishers in each group of the 5K will receive medals. Christenson said 250 runners are registered. Runners and walkers may also register on site the day of the event.

Runners as young as age 5 and as old as 79 ran the 5K last year.

Registration is available at www.izziesgifts.org/events.php. The event will be held rain or shine.