A local non-profit has raised 2.5 million dollars for pediatric cancer research and families with children receiving cancer treatment through their celebrity hunts. Aiming for a Cure was started 14 years ago.

Foundation president Steve Ries says their annual celebrity hunt at Highland Hideaway Hunting was his son Ben’s idea, who was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2000. They’ve also expanded to include golf fundraisers and marathons.

According to Ries, half of their funds go to pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. The other half goes towards things like parking fees, gas and lodging for families with children being treated for cancer at those hospitals.

Their next event is a 10k/5k in Palo, Iowa. For more information visit their website aimingforacure.com.