Rich Nesbitt N9MO Walk for Sarcoma Awareness
- posted 3 June 2004

from The Carrier, June 2004

RMRA and Wisconsin Valley Radio Association member Rich Nesbitt N9MO is attempting to raise awareness about a little publicized medical condition: Sarcoma. This is his story:

Nesbitt decided to raise awareness about this disease in a way that's both attention getting and beneficial at thesame time. Nesbitt walked from the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield to the Marshfield Clinic in Wausau on Saturday, May 29. The walk started at 4:00 a.m. in Marshfield and wrapped up late on the afternoon of the 29th.

"I couldn't have made this walk without all the help and inspiration that I received. My family was behind me 150%. My wife insisted on seeing off from the Clinic. She made several runs back and forth to bring supplies that I needed. My son, Evan walked with for about 10 miles and had to pull out because his feet were hurting too much.

Mike, KB9DED's help was excellent. He volunteered to take Lee's - N9LO place as the driver of the support vehicle when I had to move the date of the walk up from 6/12 to 5/29. I originally planned to walk during Sarcoma Awareness Week (June 6-12). I had to start receiving 5 weeks of radiation therapy on 5/24. The radiation therapist thought it would be better for me make the long walk early in treatment instead of the middle of the therapy. Complication of the therapy include swelling of the leg and foot and redness like a bad sun burn.

Mike - KB9DED was the one who suggested that I contact TV, Radio, and Newspapers before the walk to help generate publicity. I hadn't planned on the publicity until after I made the walk. I was mainly looking to generate exposure for the new Sarcoma Support Group that I am starting on 6/16.

Steve - KC9ANA let me use his APRS radio and GPS unit. His wife, Robin - KC9CHU walked with me for several miles at the end of the walk, while Steve followed along with the vehicle. Steve and Robin eventually brought me home from Wausau.

Peter Weidenheim, KC9DRW met me at the Clinic in Marshfield at 4:00 am and walked with me for several miles as I started my trek and gave (2) red flashing lights to help with visibility on the road.

Dennis - W9PBB volunteered to pick up and drive out a spare 12V battery for Mike, KB9DED Mark, N9MEA got together with Mike, KB9DED the night before the walk to set up and loan a backup APRS radio for the trek.

Matt - N9NMH tried to help work out the bugs on the APRS radio at the beginning of the walk and then drove out at the end of the walk to provide motivation.

Bill Matthies, a co-worker in Wausau, walked with me for about 5 miles on County Road P, and Theresa Durfus from Corporate Communication at the Clinic walked with me for about 5 miles near Stratford and took several for a follow up article about the Sarcoma Support Group."