Cancer survivor dinner new element of Toronto event

TORONTO -- Cancer survivors from throughout the area are being encouraged to participate in what is a new element of the annual Campbell-Dickinson 5K Run Bike Walk and Noah Long Kids' Fun 1K fundraiser events.

While the run, walk and bike event fundraisers are set for March 16 in Toronto, a cancer survivor dinner will be held two days earlier with the Karaffa Elementary School serving as the event venue for the March 14 salute to survivors.

It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the school, which is located at 1307 Dennis Way, and there is no cost for survivors to enjoy a free dinner, according to George Komar, president of the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization and run organizer. The cost for one guest is $12.

The menu will include roast beef and chicken, potatoes, salad, dessert and drinks.

Survivors from throughout the area are encouraged to attend. Reservations and payments must be received by March 8.

For information or to RSVP, call (740) 537-9500. The website is www.thegemcity.org.

"This year the Campbell-Dickinson Run Bike Walk would like to focus on the faces of cancer by appreciating the survivors, supporting the fighters through the Teramana Cancer Center T.E.A.R. Fund and also remembering the fallen, and to quote Christopher Reeve 'Once you choose hope, anything's possible,'" Komar said.

The dinner will include welcoming remarks by co-directors Komar and Toni Moreland. The invocation and benediction will be given by the Rev. Raul Diaz.

The dinner is under the direction of Toronto High School cafeteria staff and Lora Irwin.

Recognition and comments will be offered by a representative of the T.E.A.R Fund, an acronym for Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief. Money from the overall race events is donated to it, as has been the case for the past eight years. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been generated in the race's history.

The dinner also will include remarks from Connie Crawford concerning the Jefferson County Relay for Life that raises money for the American Cancer Society and will be held in Toronto this June; Patricia Campbell on behalf of her husband, Pat; David and Katie Long on behalf of son Noah; Matt Lewis, St. Baldrick's Foundation, for his father, John; and cancer survivor Jenny Dickinson, guest speaker.

There also will be a time of survivor recognition.

While the dinner is free for cancer survivors, so, too, is participation for all survivors interested in being a part of the March 16 events. They also will be given a free survivor T-shirt.

In addition to the Campbell-Dickinson 5K on March 16, the event will once again feature the Noah Long Kids Fun 1K. Another event is the St. Baldrick's Shave Off where adults shave their heads in support of cancer research, officials said, and there will be face painting, food vendors and other activities. The Long family and the Clarke Funeral Home will be donating two children's bicycles to be part of a drawing at the event.

The race begins at 10 a.m. for racers on March 16 at the TEMS building, 201 S. Fourth St. The racers will be followed by the kids 1K at 11 a.m.; the bike ride at 11:40 a.m.; and the 5K walk at 11:45 a.m.

The registration fee is $10 for those 17 and under and $15 for adults. All participants get a free T-shirt. For information, call (740) 317-3947 or www.thegemcity.org.