New York
Hoop for Sarcoma
July 20, 2009 in Briarcliff Manor, New York
80 people (hoopers and supporters) participated in the Hoop for Sarcoma event. It was lots of fun, and one participant hooped for over two hours straight! Some hooped with multiple hoops! Information about sarcoma was handed out, and many people sponsored the participants and made donations for the Sarcoma Knows No Borders bracelets. We raised over $1300.00 and are enthusiastic about next year’s event.
Tennessee
Conquer Michael’s Mountain
July 25, 2009 in in Chattanooga, Tennessee
There were about 100 participants at this event, which raised about $1900 for sarcoma research!
Registration started at 8:00am, and everyone received a shirt and a wristband. The bike tours started at 9:00.
The first group was age 0-3yrs. They rode their tricycles, ridding toys, strollers or cars 100 yards.
Each child that passed the finish line got a prize, which was a goody bag filled with assorted donated and purchased items. Next, the children 4-6 years rode their bikes, and some ran 300yards. Again each child that passed the finish line got a prize bag. These first two tours were done in heaps like a race, and there was cheering and clapping by everyone.
The next age group 6-9 years rode their bikes for 1 mile. We had a pace bike that they kids couldn’t pass so that it would not be too dangerous for those less experienced. There was a ½ mile side walk path that we used for the tours. Each child received a goody bag. The last age group was 10-12 years who rode their bikes for 3 miles. We had again a pace bike that the kids were unable to pass. There was a goody bag for all who finished the ride.
During the last bike tour we released any walkers who wanted to walk the path and read the history sections along the path in renaissance park. After all the races were done we decided to have one more run for the 0-3 year olds that slept too late for the first run.
When all the races were complete we gave out door prizes by calling the name of every child who was registered. Each child would come up and pick from the prized until all were gone. We served lunch bags and had about 200 bottles water and Capri Suns for the children. The lunch bags contained a sandwich with mayonnaise pouch apple little Debbie and chips.
We all had a great time, and all the volunteers helped with clean up. Our sponsors where, Chatham, Mayfield, Trek Bike store, Learning Express, Rock Creek, Freds, Big Lots, McKee Baking, Theresa and Bill Gearrin, Natalie and Preston Bell, PR and Mike McMahan.
Vermont
Seven 10K’s for Sarcoma
July 19-25, 2009 in St. Albans, Vermont
Fifty-five people participated in this event and raised more than $2,200. Karen Dukas, the organizer of this event, reports about an incredible week of beautiful weather:
This year I invited people to take the challenge with me and run, walk or bike a 5K or 10K everyday for seven days. It is a huge commitment, but a having a healthy heart saved my life and I wanted to encourage others to have healthy hearts too. Many people solicited sponsorships or sponsored themselves and joined the team. Some committed to every day, and others did the days that worked into their schedules.
I ran everyday at 9:30am each day along lake Champlain. I did not run alone one day, and some days there were as many as ten of us. On the final day, 35 of the 55 team members were able to gather at camp for our final 5/10K. What a sight, 35 people running, walking and biking down Maquam Shore in our green Team Sarcoma Vermont shirts!
Thank you and blessings to the Seven 10K’s for Sarcoma team 2009! A special thank you to my niece Emily for being babysitter and secretary!
Lithuania
Sarcoma Week in Lithuania attracted 380 participants to several events in two of Lithuania’s largest cities. These events were organized by local NGO – Rare Cancer Patients advocacy group “ROLLD” as a part of International Sarcoma awareness week on 18-26 July.
The week commenced with two awareness events in Vilnius and Kaunas. Leaflets were handed out to the public, and a concert of local artists took place in Kaunas. Sasha Song, an artist who represented Lithuania in this year’s Eurovision song contest, presented “Cancer Song,” a piece composed especially for Sarcoma week.
Other activities included kite workshops, hot air baloon flying and photo exhibitions. These playful events brought together many people from different walks of life, both having sarcoma and totally unaware of the condition prior to these events, which were the first of their kind in our country. Public Affairs Officer Mr. William A. James from the US embassy in Lithuania briefly visited our event in Vilnius.
In addition to increasing awareness, Sarcoma Week in Lithuania included events oriented towards the needs of people with that condition and doctors treating such patients. July 22nd was the day dedicated to people with sarcoma. Discussions took place on the disease and the psychological issues of dealing with it. Finally, a conference was organized for doctors in one of most respected clinics in Lithuania on sarcoma early diagnostics and treatment.
Although 2009 saw the seventh International Sarcoma Awareness Week, it was only the first in our country. Organizers tried their best to make the events both fun and useful for everyone involved and hope to make the week another good tradition in Lithuania.
Arizona
We presented facts and education about the fight against sarcoma cancers in the oncology clinic here at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America at the Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Arizona this week and distributed bracelets to the staff. They are 100% on board in this effort to find treatments and even cures for this scourge that robbed our children of their futures. We look forward to further efforts in the future.
Texas
Be a Superhero: Team Sarcoma 5k
A 5k run, 5k walk, and a 1k fun run
July 18, 2009 in Waco, Texas
Learn about this event on video! The event was a huge success. We were nearly overwhelmed with a turnout of about 350 people, 150 of which came as walk up registrations. The races ran smoothly, and everyone had a blast. About $9,700 was raised for sarcoma research through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.
A Report from Benjamin: The real event started at 6 am, when all of the workers showed up and starting setting up the race site, water station, timing system, etc. Around 7, people began to show up and, the flood of walk-up registrants didn’t stop until about 5 minutes before Andrew (my younger brother, whom the race was held in honor of) started the race. The most emotional part of the race for me was the actual start. More than 250 people taking off in unison to eradicate that which has affected my family so much over the last year was an awe-inspiring sight.
The 1k fun run was a blast. Lead by Superman, the Flash, Captain America, and Batman, the race was fun and energetic. At first leading the race, the superheroes turned around after finishing and helped motivate every one who hadn’t finished. No one could help but smile; the race had an unbelievable atmosphere of hope. Even the weather, which had been breaking 100 degrees all week, was on our side, with temperature barely breaking 90 (The superheroes disagree with this… of course, they were masked and covered in fake muscle padding.).
Overall, the event was a huge success. We loved planning it, and seeing everything and everyone come together was an experience we will never forget.
