Erin Reaney

Shelley Stager, Kaittie’s mother, speaks at the “5K for Kaittie” event at Willamette High School. (Erin Reaney/Emerald)

On Saturday morning, with the sun in the sky and tennis shoes on their feet, dozens of community members showed up to Willamette High School in northwest Eugene for the second annual “5K for Kaittie.” 

The event honors Kaittie Renaye Stager, who lost her life in 2020, and one of multiple women in Lane County whose sudden deaths were ruled as suicide. Longtime best friends of Kaittie, Hannah Phillips and Tara Rodgers, organized the event shortly after Kaittie’s passing.

The event was held in person for the first time last year after previously being held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

“I wanted to do something to remember her,” Rodgers said. 

Kaittie loved running and walking, so Phillips and Rodgers decided to hold a 5K “run/walk/roll” in January, which is the month of Kaittie’s birthday. 

According to the “5K for Kaittie” Facebook group, “this event aims to raise funds and awareness for those affected by domestic violence.” 

In her speech prior to the start of the 5K, Rodgers described her best friend as “a true angel, from the moment she graced the earth … Kaittie had a heart of gold.” 

Rodgers said that, growing up, Kaittie’s parents’ house was the place that all the kids wanted to be at because the family was so fun and kind, and that’s how Kaittie was, too.

Shelley Stager, Kaittie’s mother, also gave a speech and talked about the “Hidden Homicides” bill that is in progress to be passed. The bill would ensure that law enforcement cannot rule deaths as suicide right away to preserve potential evidence at the scene. This bill will be voted on in the next few weeks. 

When Phillips was asked what this event means to her and the community, she replied, “I think it means everything. For her family, making a difference, us passing this bill and for us to continue carrying on her story.” 

She stressed the importance of bringing awareness to domestic violence. Phillips said shortly before she passed, Kaittie told her mom that she wanted to help people with what she was going through.

“Kaittie was my best friend for over 20 years … I have to live the life that we both wanted to,” Phillips said.

The phrase “Free Yourself” could be found on hats for sale at the event, below a graphic of a feather dissolving into birds flying. This design was a tattoo of Kaittie’s, and selling the hats was one of the ways the event fundraised, as well as an entry fee and donation boxes.

All of the funds from the event went to Clackamas Women’s Services, an organization based in the Portland metro area. It’s one of the largest providers of services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Oregon. 

According to Josie Greer, a representative from Clackamas Women’s Services, “domestic violence is more prevalent than most folks think; one in four women will experience interpersonal violence in their lifetimes, as well as one in seven men.” She said that events like “5K for Kaittie” are essential for the efforts of their organization.

“Any way that we’re able to build awareness and provide support and connect people to resources is so important,” Greer said.

Rodgers and Phillips said they plan to do the event again next year to carry on the memory of Kaittie and get justice for her passing. 

If you or someone you know feels unsafe at home and is seeking help, call the UO domestic violence hotline (541-346-SAFE) or visit thehotline.org.