ME STRONG 5K returns to DeLand with help of cancer foundation, West Volusia rotary clubs

DELAND — Saturday's ME STRONG 5K marked a special first for the five close friends who founded the event just over a decade ago.

A little more than an hour into the race, Linda Ryan, Barbara McCallan, Kim Winters, Kim Martin and Kathy Guyer crossed the finish line in front of the Volusia County Historic Courthouse to applause and cheers from supporters and fellow run/walk participants.

It was the first time all five experienced the route together, as registered participants, something they weren't able to do previously, because of race-day responsibilities.

"The energy of the day feels like it always did," Ryan said with a smile.

Ryan, who's beat cancer multiple times, served as the catalyst for the nonprofit's founding.

Martin said the group thought last year would be the last ME STRONG 5K event as they'd agreed to bring it to a close so they could spend more time with their families.

"The community really rallied; they wanted it," Martin said.

Last July, the five friends announced they were handing the reins over to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation as they had a shared mission.

Proceeds from the race go toward helping local cancer patients with non-medical bills, such as rent or mortgage payments.

Since the inaugural event in 2012, more than 40,000 people have participated in the ME STRONG 5K, which has raised more than $2 million for cancer patients.

The 3.1-mile route takes participants through downtown, Stetson University and surrounding residential areas.

Can't stop, won't stop:ME STRONG 5K making a comeback with help from Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation

Along the way are the famed cheer zones, live entertainment and concessions provided by local businesses.

The camaraderie among participants is like a cheer zone in itself.

"It was unbelievable," Martin said. "It was everything I envisioned it to be, to see it in person was so magical."

By the start of the race at 8 a.m., more than 5,000 had registered for the event put on with assistance from the Rotary Club of DeLand; the DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club; the Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand; and the Rotary Club of DeBary-Deltona-Orange City..

Reasons to race

Some race participants were currently battling cancer, including Katherine "Kathy" McAllister, this year's biggest individual fundraiser.

Others were participating for a loved one.

DeLand resident Casey Wilson said she and her 13-year-old son Tucker were there for her 8-year-old nephew, Bode Hulk Wyatt, who was diagnosed last year with leukemia and whose middle name inspired the special T-shirts they wore.

The front of their bright orange T-shirts read: "In this family, no one fights alone." The back of the shirt, along with a picture of the superhero Hulk, read: "#HulkSmashLeukemia."

DeLand resident Debra Cole also wore a special T-shirt.

Hers read: "Proud mom of a canine cancer warrior."

That canine, 10.5-year-old Red, wore her own special bandana that read: "Kicking cancer's butt."

Cole said Red was diagnosed with cancer in January 2020, and a veterinarian estimated she would live another six to 12 months.

Since the diagnosis, Cole said she and Red, whom she adopted nine years ago through the Prison Pups N Pals program with Halifax Humane Society, participate in as many 5Ks as they can.

"She just loves them," Cole said. "She goes everywhere with me if I can take her."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ME STRONG 5K: Race raising funds for cancer patients returns to DeLand