Windham News : cancer

Stand raises $1,250 for childhood cancer

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:47:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Volunteers at the Shaw’s Supermarket of Windham have the sweet taste of success in their mouths after smashing their goal of raising $200 for childhood cancer research by June 14.

After bringing in more than $1,250 in donations over two days of running an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation fundraiser outside of the 43 Indian Rock Road store, volunteer and organizer Deb Mercer said the success of the event had left her with butterflies in her stomach.

“My stomach is flip-flopping, I’m so excited,” said Mercer, who works as a grocery clerk at the supermarket on most days. “Who would have thought (the response would be this good)?”

Mercer took a lead role in organizing the weekend-long event after her district manager challenged the employees in area Shaws’ locations to raise as much money as possible for the childhood cancer research foundation. Associates at her supermarket volunteered their time, energy and efforts into making sure the fundraiser went off successfully, she said. While some of Mercer’s co-workers joined her in handing out lemonade to passing customers, others gave in whatever way they could, from donating goods for a raffle to putting together the lemonade stand from scratch.

Having spent a few hours the week leading up to the event with co-worker Gaylon Spinney building the lemonade stand, Rolando Mendez, grocery manager for the supermarket, said he wanted to make the stand look rustic and as much as possible like the original, operated by Alexandra “Alex” Scott in 2000 for the sole purpose of raising money for cancer research.

The then 4-year-old had been suffering from neuroblastoma since her first birthday, and before she passed away in 2004, Scott and volunteers across the country had raised more than $1 million for childhood cancer research.

Mercer said telling the story of Scott’s efforts to find a cure for cancer to customers had been critical in making the event a success.

“We’ve been greeting people and we’re informing them of the original lemonade stand,” Mercer said. “Their hearts melt (when they learn more) and in goes the whole $20 bill.”

A spokesman for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Gillian Kocher said more than anything else, word of mouth about events like the Shaw’s fundraiser helped the organization both by raising money and by encouraging other individuals to volunteer their time and efforts.

As for Mercer, though this may have been her first organized charity fundraiser, she is already looking forward to bringing out the lemonade stand again next year.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I’m not one for words, but yeah, this is totally cool.”

Windham man rides to raise money for cancer

Salem Editor — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:49:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

When thousands of bicyclists ride through Massachusetts to raise money for cancer victims, Windham’s Steve Horaj will be among them.

Horaj will put his endurance to the test when he rides 163 miles over just two days. He will be participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge, whose organizers hope to raise $34 million this year for the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute.

“Who doesn’t know someone who hasn’t been affected by cancer?” said Horaj, who will ride from Wellesley to Provincetown on Aug. 2 and 3.

Since 1980, the annual bike-a-thon has raised more than $204 million through the Jimmy Fund for cancer treatment and research. The event raises more money for charity than any other athletic event in the country.

More than 5,500 cyclists are expected to participate this year. Each cyclist chooses from seven routes and rides one or two days.

Horaj, 20, a 2006 Salem High School graduate, began cycling while doing a college externship in Los Angeles as a way to beat heavy traffic. His enthusiasm for riding grew – fueled in part by coverage of the Tour de France – and by the end of his time in L.A., he was riding about 60 miles a day for exercise.

“I got really into it,” said Horaj, who was cooking at a hotel in Beverly Hills at the time. “I loved riding, I loved exercising.”

Horaj has found inspiration from Lance Armstrong, the road cyclist champion who battled testicular cancer and won the Tour de France seven times. Armstrong established a foundation that helps cancer victims.

“I think he’s a great motivator. That’s what I look up to,” said Horaj, who is reading Armstrong’s autobiography, “It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.”

Horaj recently earned an associate’s degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and is now working as a line cook at a Boston restaurant and bakery shop.

Although this will be his first charity bike ride, he has previously helped others. He participated in a Relay for Life, held at Salem High School, to benefit the American Cancer Society. And he was in a peer outreach program, No Butts About It, that brought an anti-smoking, anti-drug use message to younger students.

Horaj, who has committed to raising $4,000 for the bike-a-thon, is willing to put the name of cancer victims on his jersey if people would like him to ride in honor of a loved one.

The Pan-Mass Challenge can be an emotional event for its riders. Loved ones of cancer victims express their thanks and hold signs of cancer patients. Riders have been known to wipe away tears, said Horaj.

“It’s supposed to be a very emotional thing,” he said.

How you can help

To help Steve Horaj raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, go to www.pmc.org. Click on “Donate” in the upper left hand corner. When “Sponsor Rider with Donation” appears on the screen, you can donate to Stephen Horaj using his eGift number, SH0148. Or you can mail a donation, made payable to PMC, and send it to Horaj at his home: 6 Red Fox Road, Windham, NH

Drive for Knight – Hundreds turn out to raise money for Windham officer

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:13:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

While the lights of his Windham police motorcycle flashed, officer Scott Rogers led a long line of motorcycle riders in the “Knight Ride.”

The trip – from Windham to the seacoast and ending in Salem – was part of a benefit to help Windham officer Mark Knight, who is battling liver cancer.

The morning ride and an afternoon barbecue drew hundreds of supporters on Saturday, June 23.

“It was truly an amazing turnout,” said Windham officer Jessica Flynn, one of the event organizers. “I was very happy about it.”

Knight was diagnosed with cancer in July 2006. He underwent surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed, then spent several months receiving chemotherapy and radiation.

He recently ended his treatments but learned the cancer had spread to his liver. Knight, a former Salem resident, has been a patrolman for Windham for seven years. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a 6-year-old daughter.

“He’s highly respected and liked,” Flynn said. “We wanted to do something to show how much he’s respected and loved, and we want him to get better.”

The ride started at Park Place Lanes in Windham, and concluded at the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge in Salem, where the barbecue was held. Many of the people there wore “Knight Ride 2007” T-shirts.

“This is the best run I’ve been on my whole life,” said Mike Hanson of Salem who’s been biking 35 years. “I’ve been on a ton of runs, and this was one of the biggest.”

Tom Lannan of Derry drove Knight for about 40 miles of the trip in a blue Corvette. Knight later spent some time at the barbecue. Lannan said he thinks his friend was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to show their support.

The bike ride drew nearly 350 riders and approximately 200 people attended the barbecue, according to Flynn. A portion of the money raised will benefit the American Cancer Society.

The benefit drew fellow police officers from several communities, local firefighters and elected officials, friends of Knight, and people who have done business with him.

Several people praised Knight as an exceptionally nice person.

“That’s why you see the turnout you see here,” Rogers said. “He’s touched so many lives in so many ways. A great, stand-up guy.”

The barbecue featured a performance by the New Hampshire Police Association Pipes and Drums and a silent auction.

“Grab a pen, put a bid in,” DJ Butch, the deejay for the event, urged the crowd. “Great stuff.”

Among the items up for bid were a New England Patriots helmet signed by player Rodney Harrison, 18 holes of golf for four players at Windham Country Club, an autographed photo of Red Sox player David Ortiz, passes to Canobie Lake Park, a limousine ride to a Godsmack concert for four people and a Coca-Cola clock.

Salem Sgt. Steve Malisos was the highest bidder, at $250, for a framed set of photographs, “Boston’s Greatest Sports Brawls.”

Malisos graduated with Knight in 1985 from Salem High School where they played baseball together. His brother, Greg, is a colleague of Knight’s at the Windham Police Department.

Malisos said he attended the benefit to support Knight and his family.

“I know this money was going to help him,” Malisos said. “The police community – we rally around each other and help out.”