Fundraising for the fight against cancer

CHILLICOTHE – As a nurse in the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University, Kimberly Halm has seen countless people battle cancer, but now, she is taking the fight into her own hands.

Over the last six months, Halm has been planning an event that would raise money locally to donate to cancer research. Although she is not battling cancer herself, Halm has seen first hand through her work as a registered nurse at the James Cancer Hospital how the disease is affecting people every day. In her five years at the hospital and seeing cancer effect members of her own family, she felt planning a fundraiser would be an important thing to do for the community.

“I just wanted to have something fun ... but it grew into a ‘we could donate this,’ pay it forward kind of thing,” Halm said.

The Fundraiser and Tennis Event on Saturday will raise money for Ohio State University James Cancer Research and Pelotonia, an annual bike ride that also gives its proceeds to the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Tennis tournaments will take place throughout the day for various age groups, along with other activities including a dinner party, silent auction, door prizes and a raffle. Halm says many of the prizes are donated by local businesses and individuals.

Karl Koon, director of development for the James Cancer Hospital said this event is the epitome of the grassroots fundraising that the Pelotonia is all about.

“Yes, it’s a bike ride, but it’s also a social movement. ... It says we all share this vision of a cancer-free world,” Koon said.

Halm will host the event at the Chillicothe Fitness and Racquet Club, which she and her husband, Chuck, own. If all goes as planned, Halm hopes to make it an annual event.

“It’s the hope that we can do something positive, and that’s exactly what Kimberly is doing. I applaud her,” Koon said.

If you go...

Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Chillicothe Fitness and Racquet Club

9 a.m. Tennis tournaments begin

11 a.m. Kayaking, canoeing, and bike trail and Pelotonia training

5 p.m. Dinner party at the Chillicothe Country Club.

Information and sign -ups can be done through the Chillicothe Fitness and Racquet Club.