Rutherford Weekly

The family of the late Kirk Wilkerson hosted the impact Throwing Bones 2022 Not-A-Sprint event August 5 and August 6. Throwing Bones is a nonprofi t organization that encourages blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active throughout treatment. Throwing Bones for a Cure, Inc., partnered with the Wilkersons and friends to continue his legacy of encouraging others, being physically active, and promoting cancer education and research. Kirk Wilkerson was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May of 2016 just after competing in his fi rst marathon race. Throughout his battle with his blood cancer, Kirk continued to raise funds for cancer research by running in numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and completing a fundraising trip to Mount Everest. He was undergoing chemotherapy in the summer of 2021 when he was diagnosed with COVID. Despite being vaccinated, his weakened immune system was not able to fi ght the virus and he died in August, 2021 at age 52. "You all showed up big this weekend to show your love and support to us in countless ways," said Kirk's wife Cindy Wilkerson. "Kirk was remembered and money was raised to support things near and dear to him," she said. The weekend kicked off with the Attitude and Effort-Kirk Wilkerson Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, August 5 at Cleghorn Golf and Sports Club. There were 74 golfers in the tournament, taking home more than $1,000 in cash and prizes. A dinner and silent auction followed the golf tournament. On Saturday a 3, 6 and 12-hour endurance run was held on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail from POPS to Spindale and return to Forest City. "We are very pleased with the impact has made and look forward to an even more impactful event next year," said Cindy. "The fi nal tally is still being calculated, but the event is projected to have raised over $40,000 (before expenses). The event welcomed over 250 people who contributed as donors, volunteers, sponsors, and participants in the various events. Runners in the 3-6-12 hour endurance run came from across the United States including participants from Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia. The winner of the 12-hour event, Kristin Herring of Virginia, ran 67 miles in less than 12 hours. "We are thrilled that so many people showed up in numerous ways to remember Kirk Wilkerson and the values he held," Cindy said. "Kirk remained extremely active throughout his blood cancer treatments and always encouraged others to do the same. This aligns perfectly with the mission of Throwing Bones, the nonprofi t with which we hosted the event," she said. Kirk, an East Rutherford High School graduate, was passionate about the sports programs at East Rutherford, Cindy explained. "Kirk's father, siblings, and children all have benefi ted from the excellent sports programs at East, and we are pleased to be able to give back a portion of the proceeds to the community that has so positively impacted the Wilkerson family," Cindy said. ISSUE NO. 34 • August 25, 2022 ISSUE NO. 34 • August 25, 2022 • • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 BRING YOUR VEHICLE BY FOR US TO LOOK AT! NO APPRAISAL FEE CHARGED! TOP DOLLAR PAID! PAID! YOUR VEHICLE VEHICLE We Want to Buy We Want to Buy www.mooresautos.com 345 South Broadway, Forest City 828-245-8067 M O O RE ' S AUTO S ALES ©communityfi rstmedia 135 West Main Street, Spindale, NC 28160 828-395-2140 Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 11am-9pm Sunday: 11am-3pm DINE IN CARRY OUT CATERING www.circlebBBQ.com www.circlebBBQ.com MENTION AD MENTION AD RECEIVE RECEIVE 10 10 % OFF OFF ©Community First Media Community First Media SUNDAY DINNER SUNDAY DINNER SPECIAL SPECIAL Meat, 2 Vegetables Not-A-Sprint raises money in Not-A-Sprint raises money in memory of Kirk Wilkerson memory of Kirk Wilkerson Story by Jean Gordon; photos contributed. Funds to support blood cancer research Katie Glover (right) with Jia Wilkerson after the half-marathon in Kirk Wilkerson's honor. The Wilkerson family — Harris, Jia, Cindy Wilkerson, Lillie Mei and Zeke. Having fun on the golf course during the memorial tournament for Kirk Wilkerson. Endurance runners along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail — raising money for Throwing Bones. Th Th Th Th Th The t st st stor or ory f of of of Thr hr hrow ow owin in ing Bo Bo Bone ne nes fo fo for a Cu Cu Cure re re, In In Inc. beg eg egan an an in Ja Ja Janu nu nuar ar ary 20 20 20 20 2017 17 17 17 as a wa wa way to to to enc nc ncou ou oura ra rage ge ge all ll ll ll ll ll blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active through treatment. Founder and Executive Director, Kenny Capps, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2015. Prior to being diagnosed, Kenny was an ultramarathon runner. Kenny and Kirk connected in 2018 through their shared interests in running, encouraging others with Multiple Myeloma, and raising funds for cancer research. Kirk often told others, "Life is not a sprint, enjoy the journey." All funds raised through the 2022 Not-A-Sprint Weekend will be used to encourage those affected by blood cancers to stay healthy and active through treatment, and to contribute to th th th th the Ki Ki Ki Ki Kirk rk rk rk rk Wil il il il ilke ke ke ke kers rs rs rs rson on on on on Can an an an ance ce ce ce cer Me Me Me Me Memo mo mo mo mori ri ri ri rial al al al al a wit it it it ith Ea Ea Ea Ea East st st st st Rut ut ut ut uthe he he he herf rf rf rf rfor or or or ord d Hi Hi Hi Hi High gh gh gh gh g Sch ch ch ch ch c oo oo oo oo ool At At At At Athl hl hl hl hlet et et et etic ic ic ic ics. s. Our 30 th Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST!

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