Coach Derek Vierling

This year’s Thanksgiving Trot race will benefit Derek Vierling and his family. Derek and his wife Kellye are long-time residents of Aledo and have a grown son, Reed. Derek is known to many in the community as “Coach Vierling” or "Coach V." He has been an educator in Aledo for over 24 years, was a pioneer in starting the Aledo soccer program back in 2002, is currently the Head Soccer Coach and an Assistant Football Coach. He has impacted many lives through his dedication to the Aledo High School athletic programs. Derek has been battling an incurable and rare disease – Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (AHUS) since 2023. He was also diagnosed with Renal Failure and Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia (CLL) in the past 2 years. His diagnoses came shortly after Kellye was diagnosed with 2 types of cancer in 2022 & 2023, which required hospitalizations, surgeries, and on-going treatments. With this family enduring countless health challenges over the past few years, there has been an unimaginable financial strain. Proceeds will go toward helping the Vierlings and ease the burden of medical bills.