Knights-Kaderli event remains successful fund-raiser for Orleans County residents fighting cancer
EAST SHELBY – The 30th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run will probably be their most successful yet, Sue Knights said Saturday, as she checked the number of participants.
There were 201 runners and walkers who signed up for the event, said Dawn Meland, who volunteered at the registration desk.
“I think people held off when it was raining so hard this morning, but when it stopped, they came out,” she said.
The race is named for two Medina residents, Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli, both of whom died of cancer. Each of their families started fundraisers in their names, and then decided to join forces.
Since its inception, the Knights-Kaderli fund has assisted 575 cancer patients and/or their families, Knights said.
“This year alone, we have given $62,000 to help Orleans County residents who are battling cancer,” she said.
The annual event brings people from throughout the area, such as the Gary and Karen Barber family of Brockport and the Jay and Julie Mersdorf family of Webster.
Son Brett Mersdorf and Karen ran the race, while Julie, Jay and Gary walked and ran with the younger kids, including Paxton Barber, 2, who pedaled his little kiddie car.
“We would have come rain or shine,” Julie said.
They also take part in the David Millis Golf Tournament each year at Batavia Country Club, whose proceeds are donated to the Knights-Kaderli Fund, Julie said.
“We started the golf tournament as a little fun thing in honor of our dad, who died of pancreatic cancer,” she said. “In 11 years, it has grown to where we have donated more than $130,000 to the Knights-Kaderli Fund.”
Both Karen and Julie attended Lyndonville school together and when they grew up and heard about the Knights-Kaderli Fund, they liked what they saw, Karen said.
“With the Knights-Kaderli Fund, all the money stays in Orleans County and goes right back to someone who needs it,” she said.