Philosophy
The Walk/Run for Life's goal is to raise money through pledges and the support of sponsors for the St. Lawrence County fight against cancer. "This is a way to fight back at the disease that has claimed or attacked you, a family member, or a friend," according to Warren Dyke, founder of the Walk/Run. All money raised remains in St. Lawrence County, and is distributed to area charities through an application process. The main focus of the organization is on prevention and education, with funding going those programs which foster cancer prevention, early diagnosis, detection, and cancer education.
History
The Walk/Run for Life began in St. Lawrence County in 1979. Its original route stretched from Brasher Falls through Winthrop, Massena, Waddington, Ogdensburg, Heuvelton, Canton, Potsdam, Parishville, Hopkinton, Nicholville, and North Lawrence, ending back in Brasher Falls. The entire route was divided between individuals and groups, each running their own portion of the route. The event's primary purpose was to publicize the American Cancer Society's Spring House-to-House.
After the initial event, the fund raiser was named in memory of Edward I. Moses, past president of Kinney Drug's headquartered in Gouverneur, NY. Kinney Drug became the Walk/Run's first and principal corporate sponsor.
During the event's first few years, the Walk/Run employed a "spoke" approach. Participants ran from various outlying towns throughout the county and met at the American Cancer Society office in Canton. Local REACT volunteers helped provide safety, monitoring, and refreshments when the route was on Minor Street Road. After St. Lawrence University developed the Ferguson Memorial Trail in honor of student Sara Ferguson, the Walk/Run was moved onto the campus for the safety of all the participants.
The Edward I. Moses Walk/Run for Life has raised over $1,058,000 since its founding in 1979. 2010 participants succeeded in raising more than $102,000, and the goal for 2011 is to continue the St. Lawrence County fight against cancer.
2011 Committee Members
Mark Brackett (Canton)
Norma Jean & Gary Coloton (Canton)
Warren Dyke (Colton)
Kathy Flanagan (Canton)
Diane Fregoe (Canton)
Paula Gardner (Brasher Falls)
Nancy Garrand (Gouverneur)
Jeff Green (Morristown)
Mike Guimond (Massena)
Kellie Hitchman (Potsdam)
Nancy Hoffman-Lennon (Canton)
Joyce Lilholt (Canton)
Joyce Moses (Gouverneur)
Mike Ober (Potsdam)
Bob Porter (Gouverneur)
Matthew & Sandra Rahn (Canton)
Rob Saidel (Gouverneur)
Nancy Shea (South Colton)
Naomi TenEyck (Canton)
Coralee & Peter Wallen (Potsdam)
Kevin Ward (Massena)
Dave Warner (Canton)
