Radio DJ Kevin Kline once wanted to be a baseball player. Instead, he has turned into a runner with a purpose: to raise $500,000 for pediatric cancer research with his charity, Strides Against Cancer.

Kline, who decided to raise money for pediatric cancer research after meeting a 15-year-old cancer patient several years ago, began his 13-day, 481-mile trek on Dec. 20. He'll complete his run from the Dallas' Cotton Bowl Stadium to the Texas Children's Cancer Center in Houston on Friday. Along the way, he has stopped in Austin and San Antonio.

Why did Kline choose such a huge undertaking during the holidays? It wasn't to key in on others' generosity. Instead, he wanted to sacrifice the holiday hoopla for a painful, sometimes mind-numbing routine.

After all, he told The Houston Chronicle, the repetition would be much easier to endure than the cycle of chemo cocktails, radiation treatments, surgeries and waiting for test results (and good news!) that the kids he's raising money for face daily.

Kline has dedicated each challenging day to a different child who has died. The last day, he says, are in honor of the children who have beat cancer or are fighting for their lives. Current patients, their friends and other supporters will run the last block and up the steps of Texas Children's Cancer Center together.

Check out AOL Health to learn about late effects of childhood cancer.