Fearfully and Wonderfully Made to Shine a Light on NICU Families with BE THE LIGHT 5K
TEXARKANA, Texas/Arkansas — August 14, 2026 — As September approaches and NICU Awareness Month shines a national spotlight on the thousands of families who experience a neonatal intensive care journey each year, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made is inviting the Texarkana community to come together and BE THE LIGHT for local NICU families.
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made will host the BE THE LIGHT 5K Glow Run at Christus St. Michael, with proceeds benefiting the organization and its mission to support families with babies in the NICU.
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made is a Christian nonprofit serving NICU families and families experiencing the loss of a baby. The organization provides practical support, resources, encouragement, prayer, and compassionate care to families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The BE THE LIGHT 5K is designed to bring that mission into the community in a fun and meaningful way. The event is currently Texarkana’s only glow run, giving participants an opportunity to run or walk, light up the night, and shine a light on the needs of NICU families.
“We want people to know that behind every NICU admission is a family whose entire world has changed,” said Catie Swenson, Founder and Director of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. “Our goal is to walk alongside those families and remind them that they are not alone. The BE THE LIGHT 5K gives our community an opportunity to literally and figuratively shine a light for these families.”
With one month remaining until race day, more than 100 participants are already registered, and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made hopes to continue growing participation throughout the community.
Adding to the excitement, the first 200 participants to cross the finish line will receive a commemorative BE THE LIGHT 5K medal.
But the evening will extend beyond the race itself.
Following the race and awards ceremony, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made will host a special candle release through its Remember Me With Joy ministry. Families who have experienced the loss of a baby will be invited to light a candle in memory of their baby and participate in a moment of remembrance with others who understand the unique grief of pregnancy and infant loss.
“While the 5K is focused on supporting NICU families, we also know that their are many walking through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss,” Swenson said. “We want to make space for those families, too. The candle release will be a meaningful opportunity to honor these babies, remember their lives, and remind their families that their babies will never be forgotten.”
The event will take place at Christus St. Michael, a longtime part of the local NICU community, but the heart of the event is the mission of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: to support, encourage, and walk alongside families when they need it most.
BE THE LIGHT 5K EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Christus St. Michael
- Texarkana’s only glow run
- 5K run/walk for all ages and abilities
- First 200 finishers receive a commemorative medal
- Race awards
- Remember Me With Joy candle release following the awards
- Proceeds benefit Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and its support of NICU families
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made is encouraging individuals, families, churches, businesses, and organizations throughout Texarkana to participate and help spread awareness during NICU Awareness Month.
BE THE LIGHT 5K RUN/WALK for NICU families
ABOUT FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made is a Christian nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and families experiencing the loss of a baby. Through practical support, resources, education, prayer, and compassionate care, the organization walks alongside families during some of their most difficult moments, reminding them they are seen, supported, and not alone.
ABOUT REMEMBER ME WITH JOY
Remember Me With Joy is a ministry of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made created to offer Christ-centered compassion and community to families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infancy. The ministry honors babies, supports grieving families, and offers hope through Jesus Christ.