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| A march for hope |
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| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 21 May 2008 | |
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Volunteers spent 24 hours circling the track at Patterson Community Stadium over the weekend to honor — and raise money to help — people struggling with cancer. But none walked farther than Patterson resident Chad McGarry.  chad McGarry takes his first steps onto the Relay For Life track Saturday morning. Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator The 31-year-old marched almost the entire 24 hours in honor of his daughter Kimmy, a survivor who was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was 7 years old. “She survived,” he said before the start of his trek. “I can hang for 24 hours of walking.” Fifty-three miles later and with legs that felt like “rubber,” McGarry left the stadium with the help of two other people. At about 1 a.m. Sunday morning, he said, he felt like quitting, but he didn’t, “because of Kimmy.” “He’s a big trooper to me,” Kimmy said. “I love him to death.”  Folks take a breather during Saturday night's luminaria ceremony. The support of the attendees also pushed him through the most challenging hour. “All the support I was getting was too much,” he said. “I couldn’t stop.” His effort, like those of the other marchers, was a tribute to those who battle the disease, past and present. The continuous march in 105 degree heat was a fitting metaphor for the unending effort to cure the disease, while nearly 1,000 candles that lined the track represented the people cancer has taken. “This symbolizes the day in the life of someone with cancer,” said John Salvador, chairman of the Patterson American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Patterson’s relay fundraiser, which officially ends Aug. 31, had raised about $70,000 as of Monday. That’s about $30,000 shy of the $100,000 goal. Volunteers made up 33 teams, with members taking turns circling the track. Among them, the McGarrys’ story was not unique, though Chad was the sole 24-hour trekker.  People stop on the track to embrace each other during the ceremony. Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator Dozens of survivors and their families also walked the track. “We walked last year, we walked this year and we’ll walk next year,” said survivor Tom Lauret. He and his wife, Leta, a cancer survivor, participated in the first lap, which honored those who have won their battle with the disease. Under the escalating heat of the morning sun, the couple and dozens of others wearing the survivor sash started the relay. Not everyone was there to celebrate a victory. Many, like Myrlene, Larry and Mindy Hider, were there to remember loved ones — like Katelyn Greunke-Hider.  Survivors take the first lap at Saturday's Relay For Life. Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator “She was always giggling,” said her grandmother, Myrlene Hider. Katelyn died about three years ago at the age of 15, just five months after being diagnosed with a form of cancer. Family and friends displayed her portrait and had T-shirts with her picture on them. They talked about a loving and attentive girl who, in the end, was ready for her fate. “She accepted the fact,” Myrlene Hider said. However, those left behind have refused to accept that the disease that killed Katelyn will remain without a cure. “We just want to help people get through cancer,” Mindy Hider said. To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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