Charity Run to Support Those With Cancer

Several Bridgewater businesses and other organizations are serving as sponsors for the Kelsey Charity Run, which will benefit children with life-threatening diseases.

The fundraiser is held on behalf Kelsey Kirchner, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma—a rare form of cancer that attacks the central nervous system—at age 2. Kirchner was taken to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City for experimental treatments that were not covered by insurance.

Now 20 years old, Kirchner is cancer-free, but still has medical needs, which the charity run helps to support, while also helping other children and their families in the community.

According to a release from the organization, this is the 17th year of the run, which will be held June 17.

The run will begin with a Lime Dot Motorcycle Run starting at the Manville Elks on Brooks Boulevard in Hillsborough at 9:30 a.m. It will end at the Eagles picnics grounds on Woodside Lane in Bridgewater with an 11:30 a.m. picnic that will feature a beef and pig roast, two live bands, kids activities, a Chinese auction and more.

A donation of $20 is requested as part of the event.

Since the start of the annual Kelsey Run, the organization has raised $1 million, with 100 percent of the profits going to families battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

At this year's event, the run will be raffling a 2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback, with second prize being a Sony 55" 3-D LCD HDTV, donated by in Bridgewater. Raffle tickets will cost $50 each, and 1,000 of them will be sold.

Tickets can be purchased at the run, or by calling the office at 908-252-4545, with the raffle to be drawn during the event at 4 p.m.

Also serving as a sponsor of the run is Dawn Patrol MC and other organizations in and around Somerset County.

For more information, visit the website at KelseyRun.com.