by Bea Peterson
The annual Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament was held on Saturday, September 8. In the morning the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It rained in the afternoon. It didn’t stop the volleyball enthusiasts. There appeared to be a sort of “Karen was tough feeling, so why should a little rain stop us.” And the sun came out again soon enough to dry everyone off.
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Karen was in her thirties when she contracted a rare form of cancer that took her life. Every year at the volleyball tournament she is remembered for her humor, her directness and the valiant battle she fought to beat something that, in her case, was unbeatable.
Less than a year after her death the first tournament was held, and the Karen McGovern Memorial Foundation was formed by her parents, Bill and Barbara McGovern, and her friends.
This year was the 13th annual tournament held at The Sandbar. The event raised over $8,000. The Foundation, which has no administrative costs, benefits people in the towns of Hoosick and Bennington and in Rensselaer County who are battling cancer or other life threatening illnesses. The funds are given to help families struggling with the everyday needs, stretched to the breaking point because of costs associated with medical care. Costs such as gas for trips to far away hospitals, utility and fuel bills that fall behind because of treatment costs, etc. are covered. In 13 years more than $170,000 has been raised to benefit the community.
Marie McAuliffe Recognized
Every year the Tournament recognizes an individual who shows the same kind of fighting spirit Karen exhibited during her battle with cancer. This year Marie McAuliffe was recognized with an engraved silver plate. Marie has recovered from breast cancer. She had surgery in 2009 and 2010 followed by chemotherapy and radiation at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. She said she is doing very well. She is done with treatment ,and her hair is back! A fighter, like Karen, Marie continued to work three hours a day, three days a week at The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls during her radiation treatments. “That was hard,” she admitted.
Marie is no stranger to cancer. Eight years ago she supported her husband through his battle with prostate cancer. “He’s doing well,” she added. Her mother was 54 when she died of colorectal cancer. Her sister died of lung cancer at 68. Her brother was 61 when he succumbed to the disease. “I’m hoping it misses my son and granddaughters,” she said.
Marie was pleased to be recognized. “The Karen McGovern Fund has been wonderful to me,” she said.
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