The race is not about competition and it isn’t about any reward, Roger Rosenthal and his daughter Kelli are holding the third annual Anne’s Quest 5K run on Oct. 23 to promote family fun and educate people about colon cancer.
Anne Rosenthal died of the disease on Oct. 20, 2007, at the age of 55, leaving behind her husband, Roger, and her children Kelli, Erin and Timmy. Anne became an avid runner in her 40’s, according to Kelli, who said her mother ran about 4 miles every other day.
The race and the foundation [also called Anne’s Quest] involves everything my mom stood for, Kelli said. `We make it a very family-friendly race. We don’t make it competitive.`
Kelli said they have received complaints, along with some praise, that they don’t spend money on medals or prizes for the winning runner. Kelli said she believes that money is better spent directly with the foundation.
However, there will be a raffle at the end of the event for donated prizes such as Chuck E. Cheese’s tokens, certificates to salons and a basket full of wine and cheese will be given away.
The run will begin at Shaker High School, where Anne was a math teacher for 20 years, and head to Siena College, where she graduated from and met her husband, and back to Shaker.
`We’ll have facts and advice on how to prevent colon cancer,` said Kelli.
Education means a lot to Roger, who believes that the age of 50 is too late to get your first colonoscopy, even though it is the age the federal government suggests.
`If we can get one person to get a colonoscopy,` said Roger, `then we’ve done our job.`
Roger added that they are working with the American Cancer Society to try to create an outreach program to encourage physicians to do more about educating people about colon cancer. He said the ACS already has a program in place, which they will try to `piggyback off of.`
`We don’t think enough is being done by doctors,` he explains. `When someone gets to the age of needing to get a colonoscopy, that supply of information to patients is not timely at all.`
A brochure created by the Anne’s Quest foundation is the next step, said Roger, and the organization hopes to send the mailing to physicians.
Last year, the race generated $20,000, with some of that money going toward the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, based out of Atlanta, Ga. The foundation provides what they call a `Wow!` experience to families with a mother or father who is suffering from a terminal disease and is in the late stages.
The families are sent on trips to help divert their attention from the pain and suffering of their loved ones.
`If you look at the families they help support, they are people with colon cancer well below the age of 50,` said Roger. `In most cases, they’re not going to see their kids grow up. It’s a quality-of-life issue that we feel is important.`
Kelli said a family’s oncologist must refer them to the Jack and Jill Foundation. Some of the money raised by Anne’s Quest.
`It’s meant for the family to really forget about the cancer for a while and just have fun,` said Kelli. `So when, unfortunately, the person does pass away, they have those memories to look back on.`
Anne’s Quest first worked with the Jack and Jill Foundation in 2009 and was able to help five different families travel to places such as Useppa Island, Fla., Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City.
Kelli said the organization hopes to raise $25,000 this year.
`We certainly are looking for any support the community can provide,` said Roger. `The majority of money doesn’t come from registration, it comes from donations and other support.`
Those who want to participate can register online at www.annesquest.org and click on the tab for Race 2010 details to find the form to fill out. The pre-registration deadline is Oct. 16 for a donation of $20. Day of registration is $25.“
