To the editor:
The second-annual Campbell-Dickinson Run/Walk to benefit the Tony Teramana Cancer Center T.E.A.R. Fund and the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization was a success, and I would like to thank the many people and organizations who contributed to the success of the event.
I would like to begin with the families of William "Pat" Campbell, David and Patricia and the Dickinson family - Jenny, G.R., Nolan, Russ and Josey - for the inspiration they have provided to all who know them and those whom they will touch through the T.E.A.R. Fund. Thank You.
Thanks to Lynn Barbe, director of radiation oncology, and Susan Miller, oncology patient advocate at the center for their support and hard work in moving the event forward.
Without the cooperation of the City of Toronto, the event would never have happened. Thank you, Mayor John Geddis, Police Chief Randy Henry and, especially, Patrolman Larry Fogle, who drove the course countless times to make certain all safety concerns were addressed. Thanks also to the city workers who prepared the city and the course for the event.
Thanks to Chief Clark Crago and the personnel of the TEMS Joint Ambulance District for the use of the TEMS building and services they provided.
To the volunteers who gave their time, notably the student nurses from the Trinity School of Nursing, the American Red Cross Jefferson County Chapter and individuals from the Goucher Haunted Hotel, thank you.
Teams were formed this year to encourage friends, families, etc. to run together and to collect funds. The two largest teams formed were Jenny's Journey, made up of a large number of students from Karaffa Elementary School, and the Edison High School track team. These two teams had 135 participants and raised more than $1,500.
New this year, the St. Baldrick's Foundation "shave-off" raised funds for childhood cancer research. The event was the result of Toronto hairdressers coordinated by Judy Lewis and Mindy Jones. Thanks to the Toronto Masonic Lodge, which provided a $1,000 donation to the Sacrapanti family for cancer expenses of their 4-year-old son Conner.
Thanks to the business and individual sponsors of the participants for the generosity you provided through financial support and in-kind services. Their support makes the run/walk the single largest contributor to the Teramana Cancer Center T.E.A.R. Fund.
Special thanks to the Herald-Star, other Ogden newspapers, WTOV-TV, WCDK-FM and Comcast for getting the information out to the public.
The last group, but the most important of all, includes the 819 runners and walkers who took part in the event to nearly double the turnout from last year. Ages of the participants ranged from 2 up to an 84-years-"young" walker. Individuals came from across the Tri-State Area to take part in the run/walk for cancer assistance - thank you.
The 2013 event to celebrate the survivors of cancer and their families will be held on March 16. Will you be part of that celebration?
For information on how you can help, call (740) 544-6439 or e-mail TCFR@gotmc.net.
George Komar
Run-walk coordinator
Toronto Coalition for
Revitalization
