John Theissen, Wantagh resident and the founder of Toys for Sick Children, will be running 103.5 miles on April 17 to raise money for his charity and for families of three sick children.

When he was 17 years old Theissen, who was a student at MacArthur High School, was diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor. Since that time he has taken that experience and used it to help hospitalized children.

Theissen helps those children, through Toys for Sick Children, which donates recreational and therapeutic equipment to hospitals and child-care facilities on Long Island.

On April 17 Theissen will be running from Newbridge Park in Bellmore to Montauk Point via Merrick Road. In order to raise money for Toys for Sick Children and the three families, Theissen is seeking people and organizations to sponsor him in this run. He is hoping to be able to raise $40,000 through this run but stated, "Even if we raise $15-20,000, then it is still 15 or 20 more than we had."

One example of who will be helped through these donations is Matthew, a 14-year-old boy with leukemia. Matthew's family has become overwhelmed with the rising costs associated with fighting the disease. The money raised will go toward helping Matthew's family and other families provide the necessary care that may not be available without those donations.

Kicking off the event at Newbridge Park will be Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Linda Reed, a longtime friend of Theissen's, and Town Supervisor Richard Guardino. Reed will also be running the first two miles with Theissen, who will then continue the run by himself. He will be followed by a van that will contain a massage therapist, a change of clothes, food and drinks. Theissen has received a donation of 500 nutritional supplements from Power Bar and Runner's Edge in Farmingdale has donated a pair of sneakers for him to wear. He will begin the run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 17 and expects to finish at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday. He will not be stopping to sleep during that time.

Theissen has been working hard to train for this run. He has been running 20-25 miles a day, every other day. Prior to this he has completed 14- 26.2 mile marathons since 1991. He said that he has always wanted to do a 100-mile run and figured this would be a perfect opportunity for him to do it while helping the charity that he cares so much about.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Theissen in his run, or to make a contribution can send it to Toys for Sick Children, 15 Deep Lane, Wantagh, NY 11793 or call 826-2675. He has contacted the schools about having the students get involved and invites any Scout troops who would like to get involved, either through contributions or handing out flyers, or spreading the word about the run, to contact him. Theissen will be collecting contributions for the run up until he actually begins to run on the 17th but reminds everyone that Toys for Sick Children is a year-round organization and accepts donations throughout the year.

Theissen explained, "The run means a lot to me, not only as a personal feat, but I feel great because I am running across Long Island and all the different counties and towns that I help throughout the year. It means a lot to me because I feel that we might as well start with helping our own area. I'm running across Long Island for Long Island."