200 brave chill in walk/run to benefit families battling cancer

Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run has raised more than $250K

Photos by Tom Rivers

EAST SHELBY – There were about 200 people out walking and running the 3.1-mile course on a chilly Saturday morning for the 27th Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run.

The course starts near the East Shelby Fire Hall on East Shelby Road.

The Knights and Kaderli families have raised more than $250,000 with the event in 27 years. The money is put in a fund and given to help families with expenses while battling cancer.

John Bertrand of Clarence has a big burst of energy at the start of the race. He finished third overall with a time of 23:51. John is the grandson of the late Richard Knights.

Mr. Knights died from cancer in 1984. Five years later Sue Scharping Kaderli died from the disease.

The two families work together with fund-raisers for the Knights-Kaderli Fund. Other families also help, including the family of the late Dave Millis of Albion. Together they are able to distribute about $50,000 annually to help about 50 families battling cancer.

John Kaderli, the son of the late Sue Kaderli, sells raffle tickets on Saturday. There were about 100 gift baskets available during Saturday’s event. Kaderli thanked the community for supporting the cause for so many years.

“It’s a fabulous fund,” he said. “We’ve been able to help a lot of people.”

For more the on the Fund, click here.

This group walks on Barber Road during the Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run on Saturday morning.

The event raises about $20,000 for the Knights-Kaderli Fund.

P.J. Babiak of Buffalo won the 5K race with a time of 21:18.

Kerry Mills of Basom was the first woman to finish the race with a time of 21:53. She was also second overall.

Many participants were in good spirits despite the recent drop in temperatures.