Knights-Kaderli 5K will be different this year
Participants urged to cover the distance in their own neighborhoods
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Participants in the 2019 Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run head for the starting line last October. This year’s event will take on a different look, due to the Covid pandemic. For the 32nd annual 5K Walk/Run, participants are being asked to walk in their own neighborhoods and make a donation to the Knights-Kaderli Fund.
MEDINA – For 31 years the community has gathered for a walk/run to support patients living with cancer in Orleans County.
The Knights-Kaderli 5K Walk/Run was started in 1988 by the families of two lifelong Medina residents who both died of cancer – Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli. Since then, the event has raised thousands of dollars to help cancer patients and their families with bills accumulated because of their illness.
This year’s 32nd annual walk/run will take on a new look, due to the Covid pandemic, according to Stacey Pellicano, daughter of Richard Knights and a board member of the Knights-Kaderli Fund.
Participants this year are being asked to walk in their own neighborhoods, which has gone virtual. Registrants are being asked to make a donation to the fund. For every $20 registration, walkers and runners will receive a Knights-Kaderli cloth mask. Participants are asked to register online or from a mask pick-up location.
Masks may be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 2 in front of Mike Zelazny CPA, 511 Main St., or from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at the East Shelby Fire Hall. There will be a special raffle at each of the pickup locations in memory of Elaine McPherson.
Pellicano asks registrants when picking up masks and purchasing raffle tickets to please remember to wear their mask and maintain social distancing.
“The safety of our supporters is our top priority,” she said. “Also please remember to photograph your event and tag us on Facebook and Instagram at #KnightsKaderliVirtual5k for some fun prizes.”
She added they were disappointed they couldn’t gather together this year as a large group.
“Even though our event is outside, we have to abide by the non-essential gathering rule of no more than 50 people, which is still in place in New York State,” Pellicano said. “Anyone who has participated in our event understands the energy of that day. It gives us hope and unites participants. This is one of our major fundraisers for the year. We lost the David Millis Golf Tournament in June due to the same restrictions on non-essential gatherings. We know the community will gather behind us this year. Cancer does not stop for a pandemic. Our neighbors need us, especially now as they fight their disease and are sometimes isolated from their own families to protect their health.”
Supporters can run their usual 5K route, run in their own neighborhood or surf Netflix from their couch.
“We’ll never know,” Pellicano said. “We just need your support.”
The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund is a tax-exempt organization, which is run by a board of directors. There are no administrative costs. All money raised is used for the benefit of Orleans County cancer patients.
Funds thus far have assisted families with nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills.
For more information on the fund or for financial assistance, contact Mary Zelazny (Sue Kaderli’s daughter) at (585) 746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand (Richard Knights’ daughter) at (716) 983-7932 or Stacey Knights Pellicano at (716) 998-0977.
Online registration can be made by clicking here or direct donations may be made by clicking here.
