Knights and Kaderli families thankful for community support of fund helping those with cancer
Photos by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – Aaron Knights welcomes walkers and joggers to a 5K for the Knights-Kaderli Fund that started near the East Shelby Fire Hall on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Knights is the son of the late Richard Knights, who died from cancer at age 38 in 1984. He is part of the inspiration for the Knights-Kaderli Fund, which directs about $40,000 to $50,000 a year to help people in Orleans County who are battling cancer.
The fund also is named in honor of Sue Kaderli, who died from cancer at age 52 in 1989.
The 35th annual walk/run is one of several fundraisers for the Knights-Kaderli Fund. The walk headed from the fire hall down East Shelby Road.
The Knights and Kaderli families estimate that more than $1 million has been used from the fund since it was established, helping cover some of the utilities, co-pays and other bills for people fighting cancer.
The fund typically assists about 40 to 50 people a year with some of their expenses.
“We’ve been through what these people are going through,” said Mary (Kaderli) Zelazny, one of Sue’s daughter. “The last thing you should to worry about is how you should pay a bill. If we can ease that burden that is a great help to people.”
There were about 140 baskets up for raffle, which drew a crowd of people hoping they would be able to take home some of the items.
Mary Zelazny said she is grateful for the many residents and businesses that donated baskets for the event.
“We’re grateful to live in this county,” Zelazny said. “People are very caring.”
There were also other higher-end items up for raffle.
Butchie Stockwell, right in yellow, is on the move in the 5K walk with her friend Nicki Dresser and Nicki’s daughter Cece, 7.
Stockwell said the Knights-Kaderli Fund provided some financial assistance when her parents, Bill and Connie Lyster, both had cancer. Stockwell said the funds eased some of the worries during a difficutl time for her late parents.
Stockwell said she is pleased the Knights and Kaderli families remain committed to the cause of helping many local families each year.
For more information on the Fund, click here or contact Mary Zelazny at (585) 746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand at (716) 983-7932 or Stacey Knights Pellicano at (716) 998-0977.
