Many showed their colors for cancer run

Aug 25, 2023

MOVING WITH PURPOSE — Nearly 150 runners and walkers made their way along Clark Street and other Toronto streets for the LouAnn McCart Burchfield/Kathy Hannan Hale Memorial 5K Color Run-Walk Saturday. Organized by the families of the two women, who each lost battles against cancer, the new race was held to raise funds for others facing the disease. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — The families of LouAnn McCart Burchfield and Kathy Hannan Hale invited participants of the first Colors of Cancer 5K Run-Walk Saturday to wear the colors representing the forms of cancer that have touched them.

Whether they heeded that suggestion or not, nearly 150 runners and walkers showed their support to the families’ efforts to raise money for those facing the disease.

Following the deaths of the two women to cancer, their families formed Sunshine Charity Inc. with the mission of helping other cancer patients with such costs as medical co-pays, travel expenses and lodging related to their care and groceries.

Extending from the intersection of North Fourth and Clark streets to the city’s north end and back, the race was the first fundraiser for the cause and the two women’s daughters were quite pleased with the response.

Natalie Burchfield, daughter of LouAnn McCart Burchfield, noted registrations prior to the race exceeded their goal of 100 participants, adding they plan to make it a yearly event, though next year’s may be held earlier in August, before school starts.

MOVING WITH PURPOSE — Nearly 150 runners and walkers made their way along Clark Street and other Toronto streets for the LouAnn McCart Burchfield/Kathy Hannan Hale Memorial 5K Color Run-Walk Saturday. Organized by the families of the two women, who each lost battles against cancer, the new race was held to raise funds for others facing the disease. -- Warren Scott

Natalie was joined by her sisters Susie and Felicia, who traveled from Florida and South Carolina to be there; and Arica of Steubenville.

“We’re really grateful for the community’s support and excited to help other families,” aid Susie.

“We’re definitely grateful to be able to do that,” agreed Felicia.

Natalie said the idea for the run arose because they and their longtime friend, Alicia Hale Myslinsky; and her sister, Krista Beswick, had lost their mothers to cancer.

“It feels good to do something in our moms’ honor to help people who are going through some of the same things,” said Alicia, who was joined by her sister and the Burchfield sisters in lighting candles for LouAnn and Kathy.

IN REMEMBRANCE — The Burchfield and Hale families lit candles in memory of LouAnn McCart Burchfield and Kathy Hannan Hale, who inspired a 5K run Saturday in Toronto to raise money for cancer patients. Other participants were invited to light their own candles following the race, which drew nearly 150 runners and walkers. -- Warren Scott

Kathy, who had been a clerk at Stacey’s IGA and the local Ben Franklin store, was 70 when she died on Feb. 14. LouAnn, who operated a daycare business in her home for 15 years, was 46 when she died in 2008.

Other participants also were invited to light candles for their own loved ones.

The event also had lighter moments, including a 1K run held for children and the tossing of colored powder at runners and walkers as they passed the Toronto High School football stadium and Old Route 7.

Members of the high school’s cheerleading squad, led by coach Natalie Mousourakis, volunteered to perform that task.

The Burchfields and Hales expressed thanks to them and the Toronto Police Department and TEMS Joint Ambulance District for their assistance during the event as well as the many businesses, individuals and groups that provided various support.

Among the many participants was Penny Reed of Wooster, who said she has made it a goal to take part in races in each of Ohio’s counties.

Reed said she learned of the Toronto run through the Internet the night before. Her husband had battled prostate cancer and died of complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so she was particularly interested in supporting it.

Reed said she has participated in runs in 60 of Ohio’s 88 counties and has enjoyed learning more about the communities in which they were held.

“You can actually see more of the towns when you run in them. It’s just a fun way to see all of Ohio,” she said, while noting it has been challenging to find races in every county and ones with dates that don’t conflict.

Also on hand was Alicia Troski of Toronto, who wore socks with stripes in many colors.

“I heard it was a color run, so I figured, let’s wear all of them,” she said.

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