No. 2 Vol. 10
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www.thechathamnewsnj.com
October 2016
Chatham’s Sunshine Striders Run To Support Cancer Research
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta n Sat., Oct. 1, Sun- children, from stroller-age to shine Striders Fun 13-years-old participated Run earned $14,475 with their parents. at its second fundraiser for Chatham resident and orrare cancer research at Me- ganizer, Kelly Leach, is a morial Sloan Kettering Can- rare cancer survivor who cer Center. More than 200 started the fundraiser to give
Barbara Schmidt-Kemp “Your Hometown Realtor” “Barbara was so well organized and helped get our home ready to sell. We couldn’t have done it without her kind words and guidance. She went above and beyond what most agents have done”.
Barbara Schmidt-Kemp Sales Associate Cell 973-393- 8484 barbara.schmidt-kemp@cbmoves.com www.barbaraschmidtkemp.cbintouch.com
her “something to focus on; something to do.” Leach partnered with Cycle for Survival, a national charity that gives 100 percent of its funds to all types of rare cancer research, and started the Sunshine Striders. “Cycle for Survival empowers us,” stated Leach. “We are making a real difference to everyone who has ever been touched by cancer. We ride for those who previously fought against cancer – so they’re not forgotten and their battles are inspirations for more research and more progress. We ride for those currently battling so they have effective treatments and can one day be cancer free. We ride for those who will have future battles with cancer. I had a rare cancer that tends to come creeping back, so I want to support Memorial Sloan Kettering’s research for new treatment options should that day ever come.” Leach was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in August 2014 – a rare cancer, which is extremely rare in adults. After 12 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation to her
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tumor site, and two weeks of radiation to her lungs where the disease had metastasized, Leach is now cancer free. “My first run of scans after chemo came back clear,” she said. “By November, I had my first CT scans and they came back clear. I still had ten months of chemo. That’s a tough time. Cancer doctors do a lot to make sure they get it all. Post cancer, my scans remained clear.” Team Pedaling Sunshine was launched in 2015. The team name was inspired by the bedtime song “You are My Sunshine,” which Leach had been singing to her sons, Ryan, 9, and Tyler, 5, every
night since they were born. Her sons, who are students in Chatham, are also involved in the run. “They’re very proud,” Leach said. “They recognize that we’re having a big impact on doing something good. They use their voices to support, rally friends, spread the word in schools.” The run is a simple onemile run, making it easy for all children. “It’s not competitive,” said Leach. “No one’s recording time. Every participant gets a medal and tshirt.” After the run, there’s a big pizza party in the Leach family’s backyard. “It’s one of
those events you have to experience,” she said. Leach plans to have the run each year. In addition to the Sunshine Striders, Leach and her sons are busy with other activities. “We’re a very sports-oriented family,” she said. The boys enjoy baseball and tennis. They all spend summers at the Jersey shore. For more information on Team Pedaling Sunshine, visit:http://mskcc.convio. net/site/PageServer?pagename=team_pedaling_sunshine. For more information on Cycle for Survival, visit: https://www.cycleforsurvival.org.
Freelance Writers Wanted
ew View Media Group is looking for some local freelance writers to cover
positive news, human interest and feature stories about the local communities, schools and its peo-
ple. Candidates must have a degree in journalism, preferably, or communications for consideration.
Email resume and writing clips to editor@newview mg.com.