This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Team Nicholas' Knights to Host Health and Fitness Expo to Raise Awareness and Money for Cancer Research

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – This spring, Team Nicholas’ Knights, a group of 20 participants of the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai, will return to fight cancer with a vengeance. On Saturday, May 3, they will host a health and fitness expo at Bridgewater Middle School’s gymnasium, to include a visit from Edify Fitness and Nutrition Center representatives, Zumba and other fitness instructors, cancer awareness informational tables and the opportunity to participate in a fitness demonstration.

Florrie Davidson, 58, of East Bridgewater, is a 23-time Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk participant and captain of Team Nicholas’ Knights. In 1990, she lost a close friend and long-time Jimmy Fund supporter, Kathy D’Errico, to skin cancer. The following year, she started walking in D’Errico’s memory.

“Kathy’s love and support for the Jimmy Fund was contagious,” says Davidson. “She used to host golf tournaments, rock-a-thons and carnivals to raise money and awareness for the cause. Walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is my way of continuing her legacy.” 

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 2006, Davidson decided to form Team Nicholas’ Knights in honor of a friend’s grandson, Nicholas Rusin, 14, who at the time was a patient at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic.  To date, the team has raised nearly $39,800 for the Walk, which raises funds for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Rusin is now seven years cancer free.

“Our team’s health and fitness expo is a great way for families to come together to raise awareness and funds to help fight cancer,” says Davidson. “Cancer is a disease that is becoming more and more prevalent within our community. Our goal is to do what we can to stop it.”

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The health and fitness expo will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Bridgewater Middle School, located at 166 Mt. Prospect St. in Bridgewater. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Fitness demo participants must be at least 13 years old. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian present. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact Coleen Wasik by phone at 774-406-1178 or by email at coleen.wasik@gmail.com

On Sunday, Sept. 21, members of Team Nicholas’ Knights will join more than 8,500 participants in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. The 2014 event goal is to raise more than $7.5 million, bringing the Jimmy Fund Walk’s 26-year fundraising total to more than $100 million.

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk gives participants a unique opportunity to walk one of four routes along the historic Boston Athletic Association’s (BAA) Boston Marathon® route and to raise money for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. For the last 26 years, the BAA has supported the event.

To register for the 26th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai (#JimmyFundWalk) on Sept. 21, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registration is easy and walkers can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off.

###

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?