They keep running to conquer cancer

"Can't Stop Won't Stop"

Those words may not resonate like, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up," from former North Carolina State head basketball coach Jim Valvano during his introduction of the V Foundation, but they are no less inspiring for seven area cancer crusaders.

Can't Stop Won't Stop is the name of Adam Bedard's team of runners that has pledged to defeat children's cancer.

The group will traverse the 5-kilometer run during the sixth annual Time to Fly walk/run June 28 at Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul, which raises money for the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Bedard, Crosby, stared down cancer's demons when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 13. He underwent chemotherapy and took medication for 3 1/2 years to battle the disease. He then suffered a relapse his junior year of high school and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant, along with 3 1/2 more years of treatments.

Last year he ran. He ran so fast it hurt. He ran with Patrick Raverty of Crosby, who also survived cancer. The two are cancer conquerors and continue their war.

"When I saw younger kids going through similar things that I went through, kids much younger than me, that really motivated me," said Bedard. "All those kids, they're so young and innocent they don't deserve to be going through things like that. This is their childhood. This is their time for fun before they get into high school and college. They shouldn't have to live through that."

Can't Stop Won't Stop members have trained since March. They are ready. Bedard, unfortunately, is not. He injured his knee. He will attend the event and cheer on his first-year team that consists of Bill Bedard, Adam's father, Erin Erickson, Raverty, Kathy Jo Rono, Ginny Savaloja and Daniel Schmit.

The team's goal is to raise $2,000 and Bedard said Tuesday they had $1,442.

"To get seven people right off the bat is pretty amazing," Bedard said about his team. "In the future I hope we continue to grow and get more sponsors, maybe people who don't want to run or walk. The more donations the better. We're coming really close to finding cures for different cancers. All this money goes toward the research so we can hopefully find a cure sooner rather than later."

To help Bedard reach his goal visit www.childrenscancer.org/news_details_events_timetofly.html. Then click on Donate in Support of a Time to Fly Team. Then type in Can't Stop Won't Stop to get to the team page.

You can send your checks directly to Bedard at PO Box 159, Crosby, MN 56441 or to the Children's Cancer Research Fund with Time to Fly on the check.

Brainerd alumni needed

Room remains for the second Brainerd Alumni Golf Tournament scheduled July 18 at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's in East Gull Lake.

Todd Lyscio, director of community education, said they are close to last year's number of 21 teams but would like to reach the 36 team goal. The tournament committee is also looking for a title sponsor as well as hole sponsors.

"We've had a good response early on, but there is still plenty of room for us to take more and that's what we would love to do," said Lyscio. "Last year we had a good number of holes covered with hole sponsors, but we'd like to see an increase."

For more information on this tournament contact Lyscio at 218-454-6924 or todd.lyscio@isd181.org or visit www.isd181.org.

jeremy millsop, sports writer, may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5856.