The never-ending fight to end all types of cancer is imperative to mankind, but none of these battles is more urgent than the one against pancreatic cancer.
Simply put, if a diagnosis isn’t made early, it can end a life in months, not years.
Christine Edmunds knows this first-hand. She lost her husband, Kevin, to the insidious disease some eight years ago. Kevin’s sister also passed away from the same illness.
So Christine helped start a fund, “A Love of Life,’’ to help with the cause.
And she was particularly gratified to partner with the annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K, which will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 14 in Newtown.
Each year A Love for Life has been contributing money to the University of Pennsylvania, last year’s amount totaling $100,000.
In years past, people from A Love of Life have volunteered to help with the race, including serving as course monitors.
Now, they’re being rewarded for their efforts.
“This year, Always Advancing/BOSS Events told us they would be interested in having us as their charity partner, which was thrilling,’’ Edmunds said in a telephone conversation.
“It’s a real important cause to us. We have a lot of people who have lost somebody to pancreatic cancer, whether it was a husband, a friend. It’s a really important part of our lives.’’
The Shamrock Shuffle, which is directed by Always Advancing’s Chris Seiler, has been reorganized this year.
Rather than start and finish at the Green Parrot restaurant, the race will now start and finish in front of Newtown’s Borough Hall.
Also, instead of an exclusive post-race party at the Green Parrot, runners can visit several other Newtown public establishments for refreshments, etc.
“Every store on State Street has something going on that benefits Love for Life,’’ Edmunds said. “That includes the Pro (Tennis) Shop, the Temperance House, the Newtown Bike Shop and others.
“It’s a really great group of people that includes everyone in our town.’’
Seiler is excited about the new look to the race. He’s looking for another full house with a field exceeding 700 runners.
“We decided to change the course, have them finish more in the center of town,’’ Seiler said. “Afterward, runners can go to places like Sir Isaac Newton’s. . .it just opens it up more to Newtown rather than just one area.
“It’s become a tradition that we’re building. It’s always been a great day for families. And our partner, A Love for Life. . .we’re just a big advocate of theirs since day one. Christine is a Newtown resident, she lives right up the street from this race. It’s just a perfect partnership.’’
Said Edmunds: “It is a way to raise money but it’s huge for us to raise awareness. So many people don’t know that we exist. We just keep doing what we’re doing and hopefully each year we get a little bigger.’’
For more information visit www.newtownshamrockshuffle.com
>Winter Series Awards Dinner
If you haven’t had enough excitement with the Shamrock Shuffle and the post-race parties the aforementioned day, then head on over to the Bucks County Roadrunners Club Winter Series Awards Dinner.
The dinner is scheduled for Saturday night, March 14 at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Social Hall in Warwick. The price for the dinner is $40 per person or $75 for a couple.
There will be an awards ceremony, scholarships presented to two Bucks County high school students, plus DJ music, dancing and a trivia contest.
Visit www.bcrrclub.com for more information.
Race calendar
Saturday
Get Lucky St. Patrick’s 5K, 10 a.m., Wycombe. Contact www.runsignup.com
Lucky Leprechaun 10K/20K Trail Races, Richboro. Contact www.runsignup.com
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