PALM COAST, Fla. – Gathering in Palm Coast’s Central Park on Sunday morning, it was a sea of gold and white as survivors of childhood cancer came together to recreate for a good cause behind the Live Like Cameron Foundation.
Seven laps around the lake in Central Park make up the annual 5K event, and this year family and friends created teams in support of survivors, while getting in on the theme of ‘superheroes’.
Creating the foundation after the passing of her son Cameron at the age of 9, Melisa Fulling and family received an outpouring of love and support, which they have channeled into other children battling cancer.
Providing ‘Bags of Hope’ and financial assistance to families experiencing hardships as they devote their time and energy to the well-being of their child, the Fulling family is grateful for every dollar raised, through sponsorships, participation or via donation.
“I love it. It means the world to me to see people come out and support these kids. That’s what they need, is support,” said Fulling.
Helping organize the annual Flagler Warrior 5K, Judy Bucek knows the importance of maintaining support for the fundraisers.
“I’m here to support the over two dozen kids and their families in Flagler County alone that are fighting cancer,” she said. “The 5K has been going strong and growing over the years. It is not a timed run but a fun walk to support our local families, bring everyone together and raise awareness and money for the kids in our county.”
Recognizing each ‘warrior’ as they are known, Busek and Fulling present them with trophies and a chance for the community to hear more about their journey before commencing the walk.
“It’s extremely important to recognize them,” said Busek. “These kids and their stories are just unbelievable, things nobody should ever have to go through. Just to see everybody out here supporting them and all the sponsors, it’s just amazing. That’s what keeps me doing this year after year.”
Among the students on site to lend a hand, youth from the Flagler-Palm Coast High School DECA Club were out in full force, with instructor Alex Giorgianni, holding up inspirational signs.
“We’ve got a couple of students in DECA and in the entrepreneurship program that are currently battling cancer, so that’s definitely a big motivation, but Mrs. Fulling and Live Like Cameron, they’re awesome organization that helps a lot. It’s just awesome,” said Giorgianni.
For FPC Senior Ashlee Ramirez it’s about helping the community.
“We’re learning to give back to the community and it boosts morale. We love to support people and we love to cheer them on so they know they have someone that can be there for them.”
For more information on the Live Like Cameron Foundation, visit www.LiveLikeCameron.org.
