by Bea Peterson
Karen McGovern, a young vivacious woman, loved by friends and family, was stricken with cancer and put up a valiant, but unsuccessful battle against the disease. She passed away eleven years ago. Yet her memory lives on in Hoosick Falls almost every day and especially on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. That is the date of the Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament. This year it was September 4. Teams played all morning at The Sand Bar in Hoosick Falls. Weather conditions were perfect. At the lunch break Karen’s Dad, Bill McGovern welcomed everyone to the event. He said it was begun by Lisa Ferrannini as a one time fund raising event and it has never stopped. So far, Bill said, the fund has raised over $120,000. “Every dollar raised goes into the fund,” he said. “The Board is made up of all volunteers.” The money, which goes to local individuals fighting cancer or other catastrophic illnesses, is distributed by the Rural Rensselaer County Council for Health and Human Services. Bill said, “the checks are for, perhaps, $200 at a time, but that can make a big difference in incidental expenses. Some people have told us they didn’t know the fund existed.”
Bill added that many people have been supportive of the fund. He noted that when families who have lost a loved one are at a loss as to which charity should receive donations on their behalf, the Mahar Funeral Home often suggests the Karen McGovern Fund. This year the John Harrington estate gave the Fund $10,000.
John had been aided by the fund during his illness. At the gathering, Bill gave a plaque to a member of the St. Stanislaw Society in appreciation for their support over the years. In exchange for the plaque he was handed a check for $1,500 from the Society.
Patty Bradley Honored
Every year a person battling cancer is honored for his or her courage during their terrible struggle. This year’s recipient was Patty Bradley. Chris and Patty and the girls had made other plans for that day, so Lisa did a video of the family. Patty described the past year, from the time she discovered she had stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma, describing her treatments and the support she received from friends and family. She said she took it one day at a time and survived through the support of her family and the countless people in the community who were so generous and supportive of her. She remembered when she received the check and pamphlet from the Karen McGovern Fund and how much it meant to her. Patty was pleased to say that she is in remission right now and doing very well.
Todd Wysocki accepted the award from Barbara McGovern in Patty’s name and said Patty often reminded him of Karen with her attitude, and especially her laugh. He told the crowd Patty hadn’t said on the video why they couldn’t attend because it was a surprise for the girls. Saturday morning the family flew to Florida for a vacation.
After lunch, it was back to volleyball and later everyone enjoyed music by the Brewster Family Band.
