They came in sneakers and jumpsuits, in shorts and in T‑shirts.
They came at age 74 and as young as six-weeks old.
They walked, ran — even rolled in a wheelchair.
But most importantly, they did it for the cause — to fight cancer, to honor the memory of relatives and friends, and to celebrate and support the first anniversary of The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.
The 5K Walk-Run at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital kicked off at 9 a.m., with people registering in groups and individually.
Hospital CEO Patrick Charmel thanked attendees, corporate sponsors and volunteers.
He then introduced Anna Zawadzki, of Seymour, one of the first cancer patients at the center who was chosen to lead the race.
“I’d like to thank people who helped me fight cancer,“ Zawadzki said. “So lets go, go and let’s run, let’s walk and let’s go fight cancer,”
The walkers and runners left Seymour Avenue and turned on Hawkins Street to 5th Street. They then turned on to Hawthorne Avenue and then on Coon Hallow Road to Chatfield Street crossing over Emmett Avenue and Route 8 south, eventually making their way back to the Cancer Center, crossing the finish line to whistles, applause and hugs.
Charmel, who walked in the event, said more than 200 people registered. He said that he is expecting the event to be an annual event.
“This is a great family and a wonderful staff who became emotionally attached to patients and their families,” Charmel said, addressing the Cancer Center’s staff. “That attachment inspires the fight that is needed of our patients as they put up against cancer, which then inspired their caregivers to do everything they can.”
Lori Murphy and Laura Howell, radiation therapists at the Cancer Center, coordinated the event.
“When we first got here a year ago, we began talking about a walk – run effort that would raise funds for patients at the center,” Murphy said. “The event began a year ago. Originally we were hoping to make $5,000 but we have already gone beyond as of yesterday.”
The event cost participants $20 to register. Local companies could sponsor the event as a “jogger” for $500 or a “sprinter” for $1,000.
Groups or individuals could also pay $100 for a commemorative sign to honor a friend or family who died from cancer.
The precise amount of money raised wasn’t available Saturday.
Some of the participants who participated had cancer and were treated at Cancer Center.
Others participated to honor those they loved who died from cancer.
In less than 20 minutes, the first person crossed the finish line at the cancer center parking lot. With applauds and claps, 16 year-old Joey Guliano, a Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, Conn., clocked in at 19 minutes and 40 seconds.
Guliano ran to honor his grandfather, the late Pasquale Guliano of Derby, who died of cancer on Aug.14.
“I’m here for my grandpa,” said Guliano. “He wanted to see me give my hardest and I wanted to come up here and make him proud.”
