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09/21/2016 08:15 AMSome people run for a cause, some people walk for a cause, but now shoreline residents will have the chance to stroll for a cause. Guilford residents have organized the first stroll to benefit kidney cancer research on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Organized by Pat Todd and Ann Weeden, The Stroll will support Action to Cure Kidney Cancer (ACKC), a grassroots organization focused on raising money for kidney cancer research and petitioning congress to fund kidney cancer research. The event will be held in memory of Libby Hollingsworth, Weeden’s mother, who passed away from the disease this July.
Todd said runs and walks for cancer research are common, but she wanted to design this fundraiser as a stroll in Hollingsworth’s memory.
“There are runs and walks for everything, but Libby strolled and she had this fantastic Mississippi accent and she couldn’t get three feet down the street without stopping to have a conversation, so I though we could stroll and have strolling music and it all just came together,” she said.
Todd has been working with ACKC since 2002 and has continued to fundraise for the organization ever since, even after losing her husband, Ken, to kidney cancer in 2004. Todd said despite 60,000 Americans being diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, the research into the disease is minimal.
“I have been raising funds through ACKC and their kidney cancer research objectives with piano concerts, film nights, and lately, minor league baseball in Bridgeport,” she said. “Kidney cancer is like an orphan and my husband was diagnosed much too late, as was Libby.”
For this fundraiser, Todd decided to make it a little more personal to Guilford. The stroll will take place on Fair Street and Broad Street and include strolling musicians, a silent auction, and refreshments.
“For me it was kind of a tongue and cheek run and I though it would appeal to senior citizens and young families,” she said.
As people stroll along there will be markers with information on kidney cancer and on the Historic District homes along the route, something Todd said Hollingsworth was passionate about.
“The destruction of the Sabbath House at 89 Fair Street was the catalyst for Al and Libby [Hollingsworth] that moved Al, with Libby’s encouragement and support, to instigate the creation of the Historic District that includes Fair Street,” she said. “Libby was very supportive of the historic district. We owe Al and Libby a lot.”
To honor that work, all of the homes on the routes will have markers, put together by Tracy Tomaseili of the Guilford Preservation Alliance, with info on the homes, when they were built, the architectural style, and stories of the people who lived there.
Music will also be a key part of the event according to Todd. In partnership with David Mills, musicians will play popular songs, along with an original song, as they stroll down the street. Guilford High school student are invited to join the musicians in the stroll for community service hours.
“We think that it is a wonderful opportunity for community service,” said Todd.
The Marketplace, Big Y, and Bishop’s Orchards have signed on as sponsors for the event. Bishop’s Orchards will provide donuts, cider, and apples for the event and Todd said there will be additional refreshments.
Tickets for the event are $15 for adults, $5 for students, and children under 10 are free. Sponsorships cost $100. Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance by contacting Ann Weeden at ann_weeden@ackc.org
The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Those interested in learning more about ACKC can visit ackc.org.