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Zarek Mena of Norwalk danced excitedly as cancer survivors swayed to the sounds of Queen's "We Are The Champions" played by DNR at Saturday's Whittingham Cancer Center Annual Benefit Walk/Run.
Mena had good reason to proud. She started the event seven years ago, and seeing the huge gathering at Calf Pasture Beach was inspiring. "It's amazing how big it has gotten," Mena says. "The first year we got about 500 people. We didn't even have enough t-shirts. It just gets bigger every year." She celebrated the event with her sister, Ivannia, who helped her during her fight with cancer.
Co-chairmen Holly and Jeff Pivor said they hoped they would get about 2,500 participants for Saturday's event. They were cautiously optimistic they could raise $300,000 for Whittingham. Proceeds from the event support cancer services at Norwalk Hospital and improve the lives of patients and families.
About 150 volunteers helped organize the event, which included a 5K run, a 3K walk and activities for children. Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia proclaimed the day Whittingham Cancer Center Day. Numerous people walked or ran to remember family members and friends who have fallen victim to cancer. Among them was Michael Brown of Naugatuck, who ran the 5K and walked afterwards with daughters Cheyenne, 9, and Anissa, 8. His T-shirt included a tribute to his mother, Ernestine, who died of lung cancer in February 2007. He has another daughter who was diagnosed in June 2005 with Hodgkins lymphoma.
"I'm doing this for both of them,'' Michael said. "And for these two girls who are with me." Mena surveyed the scene, and seemed incredulous at the outpouring. "There's a lot of love here,'' Mena says. "I see this and know that we did good."
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