The purpose of this race is to honor those who are battling and surviving lung cancer such as Meaghan Latone. It is no easy task , there are no promises, no magical treatments, no diagnostic tools for early intervention. The stigma that if you have lung cancer, you deserve it needs to to be removed, therefore Meaghan’s slogan “lung cancer it’s not just for smokers anymore”.
I read her essay, contacted her and promised to raise money and awareness. Next contacted my nephew, Bruce Zicari, who is the chairman of the board of the Wilmot Cancer Center.. He directed me to Karen McIntyre who is charge of fund raising and she encouraged me to proceed with the race idea. Bruce lost his sister, and my niece, Nancy Zicari Infantino to breast cancer at the age of 32 leaving 4 children behind. We know how cancer touches the lives of the family. Nancy was a fighter like Meaghan, who fought to the end. Cancer needs to be stopped, as we have all lost too many..friends, neighbors and relatives. However we can make a difference.
Though I was told there are too many races, I had faith that this race would happen. Together with Meaghan’s generous friends and our new friends we will proceed. Generous sponsors like Boulter Excavating, Providium Consulting and Spoleta Builders have paid for the major race expenses. All the remaining money will now go to research . Bill Barry, Meaghans dad has helped securing some of this sponsor money and so has she in mentioning the race in her website at caring bridge.
Together we can all make a difference. Hope to see you on the 12th. My goal is to raise $10,000 this year..we will and next year we will double it!
Race Director
-Gail Zicari Wagner
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