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STEUBENVILLE -- The United Way of Jefferson County's third-annual Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run and Walk on Sept. 23 will fundraise for local nonprofits, honor a local woman who was dedicated to community service and raise awareness of the brain cancer that took her life.
Kresser, the fundraiser's namesake and a former United Way executive director, is described by those who knew her as an exceedingly generous individual whose community service influence stretched throughout the county.
"She was a big supporter of our community, and she served on many boards," said Laura Rauch, current executive director of the United Way. "She was a true example of philanthropic support in Jefferson County."
Rauch said that a United Way board member initially recommended the United Way host a 5K fundraiser and name it after Kresser, who died at the age of 51 in 2021 from glioblastoma, a type of cancerous brain tumor.
Having received 102 attendees last year, Rauch said, the 5K is set to return and do fundraising work Kresser would have been proud of.
This year, the 5K will be held at a new course in Jim Wood Park. There will be a $25 entry fee for the 5K, but students from local high schools will have a reduced fee of $15 and a kids' 1K will be held for a fee of $5.
Registration and check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. Free T-shirts will be provided at check-in while supplies last, and drawing baskets will be offered. Rauch said she is grateful to Kresser's family, the United Way's board, its 5K committee and local businesses that donated baskets for making the event possible.
Those interested in registering can go to RunSignUp.com and search "Suzanne Kresser," Rauch said. That page will contain a donation option for those who cannot participate in the race. People can also contact the United Way directly to register by calling (740) 284-9000.
Kresser's mother, Linda Slowikowski, said her daughter was a go-getter even during high school. The hefty list of organizations Kresser was involved in or supported included the Jefferson County 4-H Youth Development Program, Eastern Gateway Community College's scholarship committee, the Rotary Club of Steubenville, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Humane Society and Animal Shelter.
"Suzanne was always volunteering and helping those in need and the less fortunate," Slowikowski said.
Slowikowski said of the 5K fundraiser, "You can receive awards and everything, but this is lasting. It's something that, every year, pours more back into the community. If (Kresser) was here today, she would've been supporting this."
The United Way itself is a fundraising organization that gives to its 13 partnered, local nonprofits that serve the community. On Aug. 31, the United Way kicked off its 2024 fundraising campaign, with the goal of raising $350,000.
Phyllis Riccadonna, regional account manager for the American Red Cross, offered a remembrance of Kresser. Riccadonna said the two became "good buddies" through their shared love for community service and their desire to see women succeed in the workplace. Riccadonna said she once nominated Kressser for Woman of the Year through the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's Club.
"I always enjoyed our times together discussing everything from politics to love of our families," Riccadonna said. "Suzanne's warm and generous loyalty to those she considered a friend could never be questioned.
"She has left such a void in the hearts of many, including me and my son, Anthony, who she showed so much love also. Her footprint in the valley is felt by many, and her legacy remains with all whom she helped and loved."
Kresser's sister, Shanley Slike, recalled her sister's eight-month battle with glioblastoma, also called grade IV astrocytoma. Symptoms Kresser suffered included confusion, agitation, seizures and pain, which filled Kresser's family with alarm.
"I was able to take my sister to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh," Slike said. "Within two hours, the neurosurgeon walked into our emergency room and looked at me and said my sister has glioblastoma and proceeded to speak to ... the need to have brain surgery in the next few days."
Kresser underwent a craniotomy and a full cycle of radiation therapy, Slike said, but the disease "prevailed in the end." Slike said, toward the end of her life, Kresser was admitted to Valley Hospice, the staff at which were "like angels walking among us," helping with pain management, upkeeping communication and keeping Kresser comfortable.
Dr. John Hyland, radiation oncologist at Trinity Health System's Tony Teramana Cancer Center, was one of the doctors who treated Kresser. Hyland said glioblastoma is relatively common form of brain cancer, found most in adults, but it is one of the most "devastating."
The disease is "almost uniformly incurable," Hyland said, and treatment often is only able to delay the disease's progression. However, he said more options for treatments have become available during the years, and the medical community is "hoping for a big breakthrough within the next five or 10 years."
"I'm a little more optimistic about how people may deal with Glioblastoma in the future," Hyland said, "because there's a lot of interesting research going on where somethng that's being done now is going to prove to be beneficial."
Slowikowski said it is wonderful that the cancer center exists in Steubenville so people can receive treatment without having to travel to Pittsburgh.
The center, constructed in 2000, offers a good medical staff along with "the best modalities in treatment from UPMC and Allegheny General."
"It's a blessing we have the center here, and it's really been a great benefit to the community," Hyland said, adding that the center "keeps growing in leaps and bounds."
Slowikowski said, as a mother who lost her daughter to glioblastoma, she is pleased to contribute to the event that will help raise awareness of the disease.
"We are all raising awareness of this devastating disease," Slowikowski said. "As you can imagine, this is the most difficult situation that has happened to our family. ... If (suzanne) was still with us, this is a cause she would believe in."