Nebraska’s 6th annual Lymphoma Walk (formerly known as Lymphomathon) will be held Saturday, April 18, at Mahoney State Park. The free event, which is hosted by the Lymphoma Research Foundation and sponsored in part by UNMC, will begin at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. at the park pavilion.
About lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that occurs when white blood cells that help protect the body from infection and disease begin behaving abnormally, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Lymphoma may develop in many parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood or other organs.
The Lymphoma Walk is a non-competitive event that offers individuals and teams an opportunity to walk to support those whose lives have been touched by lymphoma. About 450 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed in Nebraska each year.
Proceeds from the walk will benefit Nebraskans through research grants and patient services. The five past walks have raised $418,000 through walk participants and sponsors.
Honorary chairman of the walk is Del Weber, of Omaha, former chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has been treated for lymphoma twice –follicular lymphoma about 10 years ago and last winter, Burkitt’s lymphoma. His treatment for Burkitt’s was 300 hours of chemotherapy. His recovery has gone well, as his recent PET scan showed no cancer.
Weber cited the importance of research as a factor in his decision to serve as the honorary chair of this year’s event.
“That’s the least I could do,” Weber said. “I surely couldn’t say no when I received the treatment I experienced and realized how important research is in solving the disease of cancer. I have a good feeling that 10 years from now we’ll have an entirely different treatment regimen for cancer. Hopefully we’ll look back at this period and marvel at the changes.”
“I lived to tell a story. I’m a cancer survivor. That’s what I am,” said Weber, whose son, Bill, also had follicular lymphoma. The Weber family has formed a team for the Lymphoma Walk.
Those interested in participating can start a team, join a team, sign up as an individual or make a donation, by clicking here. Click “Find an Event” then enter Nebraska. For more information, contact Martin Bast at (402) 559-6203.
If you are interested in being a volunteer at the event, contact Kimberly Miller. Help is needed with: registration, water and food tables, T-shirt handouts, selling raffle tickets, and serving free lunch following the walk.
Strollers and friendly leashed pets are welcome. A free picnic will be held for all attendees following the walk.
Mahoney State Park is located just off I-80 at exit 426, between Omaha and Lincoln. Though the event is free, vehicles need to purchase a $5 park permit at the park gate.