Pictured from left to right are Brian Klick, winner of the 16th Annual Eagle National Bank 5K Walk/Run to Fight Cancer and Andrew Butsick, 2nd place winner of the race.
DREXEL HILL, Pa.—Brian Klick, winner of last year’s Eagle National Bank 5K Walk/Run to Fight Cancer, has a little more to be proud of than just winning the race.
“I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 25,” says Klick. “I was treated by Marc Ravito, M.D., of the Delaware County Regional Cancer Center, and became a survivor of cancer about seven months later. I have now been free of cancer for three years.”
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.
“I was so happy to win the race because I felt like everything had come full circle,” says Klick. “I realized that my health was back to being just as good as it was in college and that I could finally begin winning races again.”
Klick, who has been a track runner since his high school days at Monsignor Bonner, continued to run as a college student at Widener University. His winning time for last year’s race was 16:53.
“I plan on participating in this race every year from now on,” adds Klick. “I think it is a great way to give back to the cancer center and to raise money for current and future patients.”
Klick resides in Havertown and is now 29 years of age. He is currently teaching 9th grade social studies at Harriton School in the Lower Merion School District. Klick’s sister, Shannon, was the first place female winner of last year’s 5K Walk/Run with a time of 20:31.
This year’s race, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, will certainly be marked on Brian Klick’s calendar.
All About The Walk/Run
The 17th Annual Eagle National Bank 5K Walk/Run to Fight Cancer will feature a variety of fun events, including:
The official Eagle National Bank 5K Walk/Run to Fight Cancer, a race through the scenic Drexel Park section of Drexel Hill. The event begins in the driveway behind DCMH and ends in Drexel Park. The run begins at 10 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:01.
A special one-mile “fun run” for cancer survivors.
A “Schools Challenge,” in which students from three area high schools (Upper Darby, Archbishop Prendergast and Monsignor Bonner) and nearly one dozen elementary schools go head-to-head for the title of No. 1 School - and the trophy that goes along with it.
A “Team Challenge” for DCMH employees. The “Radical Rascals” of the Cancer Center are looking to defend their title of the past five years from newcomers in this year’s event.
The DCMH Health and Wellness Fair, held from 9 a.m.-noon on race day. Located just beyond the starting line, the fair features free health screenings (for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and more); displays, information and giveaways from more than 30 Crozer-Keystone departments (including Cardiac Rehab, Cancer Services, Senior Health Services, Emergency Services, Childbirth Education and more); free children’s activities; and free food and refreshments.
A special awards ceremony following the race. Medals will be awarded to top individual and team winners, and door prizes will be handed out.
Registration can be done on the day of the event from 8:30-9:45 a.m. (same-day registration fees are $30 for adults and $20 for children under the age of 15), or participants can register ahead of time by calling (610) 853-4805, or by logging on to http://www.races2run.com. Early registration fees are $25 for adults and $10 for children under age 15. All registration fees are waived if the participant submits $50 or more in pledge money by Sept. 12.
All of the proceeds from the event benefit the Delaware County Regional Cancer Center, which provides care for thousands of patients every year. The comfortable, friendly Cancer Center is staffed by experienced physicians, nurses and ancillary staff using state-of-the-art technology to treat all forms of cancer. For more information about the Delaware County Regional Cancer Center and cancer programs at Crozer-Keystone Health System, call 1-866-695-HOPE (1-866-695-4673) or visit http://ckcancer.crozer.org.