Wilton’s Steve Kalin, along with his children Will (11) and Maddy (8) are busy preparing for Whittingham Cancer Center’s annual walk/run on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. New this year, “Sally’s Run” has been named in memory of Sally Kalin, Steve’s wife who passed away in June 2010 after an eight-year battle with cancer.
“We were always amazed by the wonderful, compassionate care Sally received at Norwalk Hospital. To celebrate Sally’s legacy, we chose to name the run in her honor and help raise greater awareness and funding for the Whittingham Cancer Center,” shares Steve Kalin, Sally’s husband.
“The kids are really looking forward to the event and are excited about the chance to honor their mom in such a meaningful way. Both Will and Maddy are helping promote the event by telling their friends and classmates to attend. Additionally, family friend and Wilton resident, Sarah Gioffre, has been helping the Kalins organize “Sally’s Mustangs” a team walking/running in Sally’s honor. To date, 77 people have joined the team, raising more than $14,000 for the event. Gioffre has recruited a few other Wiltonites to help spread the word in town - Corinne Lee, Andrea McElroy and Lynne Caldwell.
Wilton residents Paul Miller and Don Sauvigne step up to help make a
difference for patients treated at Whittingham Cancer Center. Both serve as
volunteers on the event planning committee.
Other Wilton residents helping support the event include Don Sauvigne, who lost his wife Sharon to breast cancer in 2008 and Paul Miller, whose wife is a cancer survivor. Sauvigne and Miller have built their own teams consisting of family and friends. Both also serve on the event committee tasked with securing corporate sponsorships from the surrounding communities. Additionally, Wilton’s Dan Riley is managing the 150 volunteers scheduled to help run the event.
Whittingham wallk & Sally’s Run
Each year, the event draws more than 2,500 participants from all over Fairfield County. The 3K walk and 5K run start and end at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. Registration begins at 10 am, with the walk/run starting at 12 noon. Guests will enjoy a great day of outdoor fun, prize drawings, kids’ activities and entertainment by DNR – Fairfield County’s (Almost) All Physician Band, featuring Dr. Richard Frank, the director of cancer research at Norwalk Hospital. All proceeds support patient care initiatives, innovative therapies, research, clinical trials and extensive support services.
Residents can register, build a team and donate online at www.norwalkhospitalfoundation.org or call 203.852.2216. Registration is $20 per person and includes a free t-shirt. There is no charge for children under 12. Additionally, the walk route will be lined with tribute flags that can be purchased for $100. Flags are a great way to honor or remember a loved one, recognize a special physician or nurse, or promote a local business. Event sponsorship opportunities are available, please call 203.852.2959.
About Whittingham Cancer Center
The Whittingham Cancer Center is a comprehensive community cancer center offering patients superior care, close to home. Accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, the center offers a multidisciplinary team approach to ensure patients have the best available treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, advanced clinical trials, complementary medical therapies, genetic counseling and extensive support service are centralized in one convenient location. Additionally, the center offers early detection and prevention programs, cancer education, navigator program and new survivorship program. To learn more, visit www.norwalkhealh.org
