5k raises money for young adults with cancer

The frigid morning air of Sept. 20 was greeted by warm welcomes as over 40 runners awaited registration within Wheelock Park in Keene, N.H. 

Embracing that morning air, attendees of the Third Annual Strong Like a River 5k conversed around picnic tables topped with hot coffee and bagels. The small asphalt park road was lined by 20 individual signs that each displayed a photo, told a story and listed a type of cancer.

Every sign faced the starting line. As runners took their places, the signs stood as symbols of inspiration and in some cases, remembrance.

The Strong Like A River 5k is only one of many events held by the non-profit organization Sy’s Fund. Each sign that bordered the race course told a different story of a young people and adults between ages 19 and 39 that are or were battling cancer.

Sy’s Fund is a locally-founded nonprofit whose mission is to raise money and fund meaningful gifts to comfort young adults battling cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, “About 70,000 adolescents and young adults [ages 15-39] are diagnosed each year with cancer within the United States.” This number,  According to the National Cancer Institute, continues to increase while the survival rate does not.

Each and every runner that took off at the sound of “Go” was there to help someone. The organizers’ and onlookers’ eyes followed the runners as they all ran by each individual sign and eventually out of sight. The furthest sign down the raceway displayed a picture of a cheery young man in a Red Sox cap, with the name Silas “Sy” River Bennett underneath.

No more than three feet from the sign stood a woman wearing a Sy’s Fund organization sweatshirt that read “Sy’s Mom” embroidered on the shoulder.

This woman’s name was Lorraine Kerz, the executive director and founder of Sy’s Fund.

Olivia Schiaffo / Equinox Staff

After losing her 29-year-old son to lung cancer on May 27, 2008, Sy’s Fund was established in his memory.

“Silas wanted to make a difference and tried to every single day, even when he was sick,” Kerz said.

She continued, “In his memory, this organization tries to make a difference for people battling cancer as Silas did.”

Silas returned to college at Keene State to finish his journalism degree; shortly after his return he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Even though his sickness forced him to take a leave from school, his passion for journalism continued.

Throughout his battle with cancer Silas found happiness and a form of expression through photography. The enjoyment and comfort Silas got from his camera, even through sickness, is what Sy’s Fund looks to recreate through meaningful gifts.

Sy’s Fund has purchased a variety of comforting gifts for cancer patients. Whether it’s a violin, a sewing machine, a laptop, an easel, a double stroller or a camera, the object’s monetary value meant nothing.

“I had never done anything like this before … but once you hear the stories you get hooked and you want to help,” Terry Bonnette said, a now three-year board member of Sy’s Fund, who lost both her husband and father to cancer.

Bonnette commented about how she started her volunteering, ”Research someday will payoff, but these people need immediate comfort and support.”

Bonnette is now the lead-organizer of the Sy’s Fund Annual Golf Tournament that takes place every August in Bernardston, Mass.

“Sy’s Fund raised over 4,000 dollars last year, money that was used towards comforting gifts and relaxation therapies for young adults battling cancer,” Lorraine Kerz stated.

One by one the runners crossed the finish line. Kyle Mowatt, a Mass. resident, took first place with Patrick Rodden following only steps behind.

Mowatt commented shortly after crossing the finish line, “It’s really not about winning, it’s more about trying to help the cause while having fun.”

As each and every participant crossed the finish line they took only a few moments to catch their breath until waiting at the finish line to cheer on the other runners. The air was filled with camaraderie as the last runners crossed the finish line to join the applauding crowd.

Standing by the blinking-red timer, Chris Mcintosh wrote-in the times for the final contestants as the race came to a close.

When asked about his involvement he explained, “Sarah, a good friend of Silas, got me involved and the family atmosphere kept me coming back for three years now.”

Chris shared a motto that he had heard from one of the participants from a Sy’s Fund event who was battling cancer himself, “You wake up every morning, and victory ­­— another day to live.”

When battling cancer, not everyone is lucky enough to see another day. Sy’s Fund tries to make everyday battling cancer a better day to be alive.

The truth is that the stories told on the signs changed the lives of many loved ones, just as Kerz says her life was changed by losing Silas.

“Losing Silas was like going to sleep in color and waking up in black and white,” Kerz said.

Samuel Douglass can be contacted at sdouglass@keene-equinox.com