61 for 61 Honorary Chair

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Jodie Waclaw

2009 Honorary Chair
Jodie Waclaw, Wahpeton, N.D.

Hi, my name is Jodie, and I want to invite you to join me at the Home Run/Walk in support of MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center (RMCC). It's a 10K or 2M competitive run with a 2M fun walk on a great, certified course on September 26.

I am a new survivor of cancer, and I know that I have the RMCC to thank for so much of my success. They made it seem like it was going to be OK no matter what. They made me feel like family.

I think RMCC will always be a part of my life. I am giving back because they gave me the tools to keep me alive. Cancer – you think it’s going to be negative, and because of them, it was a positive for me.

Please join me and many others as we walk and run to increase the growing list of cancer survivors. We also have a way for you to raise money on Firstgiving, where you can create your own fundraising Web page. I hope I’ll see you there!

Gabe Roach

2008: Gabe Roach, Fargo, N.D.

Gabe Roach of Fargo, N.D. served as the 2008 Honorary Chair for the annual Home Run/Walk. Gabe participated in many Home/Run Walk events to honor his friends and relatives.

 
Pam Solseng

2007: Pamela Solseng, Fargo, N.D.

Pamela Solseng of Fargo, N.D. was diagnosed and hospitalized with ovarian cancer on her college graduation day in May 2006. She had just completed her nursing degree, only to find herself as a patient instead. MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center has partnered with Pam every step of the way, meeting both her medical and emotional needs.

 
Barb Hansen

2006: Barb Hansen, Hillsboro, N.D.

Barb Hansen of Hillsboro, N.D., is not a stranger to cancer. Many of her closest friends and family have struggled with the disease. Some, like her mother, are survivors. Other loved ones, including her grandmother and father, lost their lives in the battle. In April 2006, Barb, too, was diagnosed with cancer and began a fight of her own.

 
Dr. Cathy Breedon

2005: Dr. Cathy Breedon, Moorhead, Minn.

Dr. Cathy Breedon of Moorhead, Minn. knows all too well the importance of exceptional cancer research, treatment and care-not only because it relates to her job, but because it saved her life. Seven years ago, cancer became personal for Cathy as she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Because of the expertise available at the Roger Maris Cancer Center, and especially that of oncologist Dr. Gerald Gross, she was able to obtain an equally aggressive treatment to match. Today she remains cancer free.

 
Cynde Kollar-Schwartzman

2004: Cynde Kollar-Schwartzman, Fargo, N.D. (co-chair)

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.

 
John Whartnaby

2004: John Wartnaby, Moorhead, Minn. (co-chair)

John Whartnaby 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.

 
Peg Knudson

2003: Peg Knudson, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Peg Knudson, of Detroit Lakes, Minn. and assistant general manager at Ameripride Services in Fargo, is Honorary Chairperson of the 2003 Home Run. In past years, Peg has participated in the Home Run to honor the memory of her friend and to celebrate her mother's survival.

 
Byrum Cartwright

2002: Byrum Cartwright, Fargo, N.D.

Byrum Cartwright was involved in the Home Run in past years through the Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Club, never thinking that he would ever set foot inside the Roger Maris Cancer Center as a patient. But on March 22, 2001, after a lump removed from his neck proved cancerous, he underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Roger Maris Cancer Center.

 
Deb Jenkins

2001: Deb Jenkins, Fargo, N.D.

Deb Jenkins is the Honorary Chairperson of the 2001 Home Run. Deb, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a year of treatment at MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center, has been cancer-free since 1994. Deb is definitely leading a full life. She is the lead singer of the Deb Jenkins band, promotes new artists through her company, Great Hearts Plus Productions, and owns and operates TSW Catering.

 

Previous Chairs

  • Maret Worwa (2000)
  • Scott Miller (1999)
  • Emily Nerland (1998)
  • Kathy Burgau (1997)
  • Matt Andvik (1996)
  • Julie Ystebo (1995)
  • Jill Ferguson (1994)

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