61 for 61 Honorary Chair
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2004 Honorary Co-Chairperson
Cynde Kollar-Schwartzman, Fargo N.D.
"I was honored to be asked to be a co-chairperson for 61for61. I strongly believe in the fundraising efforts to support cancer research, cancer treatment, and support of families affected by cancer."
Cynde Kollar-Schwartzman, of Fargo, N.D. is Honorary Co-Chair of the 2004 Home Run. She works as a Coding Analyst in the Reimbursement Department at MeritCare in Fargo. In 2002, she was involved in a research program through the Roger Maris Cancer Center. Cynde has been very involved in the Home Run over the past several years, taking part in the 2-Mile Walk, the motorcycle ride and the phone bank. She participates in the 61for61 to celebrate the survival of her father, who has been cancer-free for 13 years, her sister, who has been cancer-free for 10 years, and her good friend, Diana Johnson, who just recently overcame breast cancer. Cynde also participates to honor the memory of her father-in-law, John Schwartzman, who passed away from cancer in the mid-90s.
2004 Honorary Co-Chairperson
John Whartnaby, Moorhead, Minn.
"It is an honor to be asked to co-chair the Home Run 2004. Cancer touches all of us in some way. As a survivor of cancer treatment, I can attest firsthand how it affects the lives of not only those undergoing treatment, but also the lives of family and friends. I found the Roger Maris Center a beacon of hope and support for myself and my family. I encourage everyone to attend or donate what they can to the Home Run event. With your help we can find the necessary treatments to beat cancer."
John is the dean at Oak Grove Middle School and a professor at Concordia College. He is also the assistant coach of Concordia's varsity men's basketball team. He was chosen to be an Honorary Co-Chairperson because of his own experience with cancer research. Two years ago, John was diagnosed with melanoma. Since then, he has been participating in a national study on melanoma research through the Cancer Center, where he went through three months of aggressive chemotherapy. Although he can never be guaranteed that the cancer is gone, John just recently found out that there are no signs of malignancy or regeneration of the cancer cells.