16th annual Strut for Childhood Cancer
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds gathered at Longleaf Park on Saturday for the 16th Annual Strut for Childhood Cancer, an event aimed at raising awareness and support for families affected by childhood cancer.
The event, led by Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Cape Fear Region, saw participants take part in a 5K race or a fun one-mile run.
Children’s Cancer Partners is Wilmington’s only nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting families during and after a childhood cancer diagnosis. The organization provides resources, emotional support, and financial assistance to those in need.
Parents who have been directly impacted by childhood cancer, Tara Honeycutt and Melissa Starke, shared their personal experiences with the organization.
Tara Honeycutt expressed the critical importance of support, saying, “When you don’t have that support, you have the added stress of everything else that comes along with the financial burden. You want to focus on your kid, not everything else life throws at you.”
Melissa Starke reflected on the help her family received, saying, “When our little ones were going through the unimaginable, they (CCP) were really supportive. They were able to provide assistance, which was just one less worry.”
Starke also mentioned a valuable resource for local parents, sharing that there’s a Facebook group for Wilmington cancer moms, where she connects with others facing similar challenges.
