Communities Help Raise Thousands for Stow Kindergartener with Cancer

The owner of a Kent restaurant helped put on the fundraiser for the Stow student.

More than $8,000 was raised last Sunday when hundreds of people poured into Laziza in Kent to show an outpouring of love for a Stow Kindergartener with cancer.  Keith Burkett, a Fishcreek Elementary Kindergarten student, was diagnosed with an unspecific soft tissue sarcoma.  According to Jennifer Morris, who helped organize the event July 8, Keith's doctors are optimistic that chemotherapy and radiation will shrink the tumor to a size when it can be surgically removed.   "It will be a year or more of hospital stays for Keith," she said. So, to help the family, Morris, other volunteers and Laziza owner Michael Awad organized a fundraiser dinner. "There were about 180 tickets sold and we had a silent auction," Morris said. "The owner and his…

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Roosevelt Senior Advances in Rudy Award Voting

Ryan Anderson is among top 50 semi-finalists for national football award

The Theodore Roosevelt senior battling bone cancer is now among the top 50 semi-finalists for the national Rudy Award. And it's your votes that have helped Ryan Anderson progress in the contest for the 2011 Rudy Award, which celebrates "outstanding young athletes — not because of their statistical performance, but because of their ability to inspire teammates, classmates and communities." Anderson's mother, Sharon Zurbrugg, said there were more than 260 nominees this year. "The voting continues into January, with the top 12 finalists being announced Dec. 11," Zurbrugg said. "The more people who vote for Ryan, the better his chances for making the finals." Supporters can go to Anderson's page on the award website to vote for him and post …

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PHOTOS: Fire Truck Procession Honors Fallen Kent Firefighter

Hundreds attended the funeral of Kent firefighter Don Beckett

Mourners filled Riverwood Community Chapel this morning for a somber goodbye to Kent firefighter Don Beckett, who lost his battle with cancer Wednesday. Look for video from the funeral procession, which included 15 fire trucks and other police and fire personnel, later today on Kent Patch.

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Don Beckett: A Firefighter who Inspired a Community

Beckett, 53, lost his battle with cancer Wednesday

I didn't know Don Beckett nearly as well as most of you who are reading this. For me, that's an unfortunate fact. Beckett, 53, lost his 11-month battle with cancer Wednesday. I first met Don in January, just a few weeks after his diagnosis with esophageal cancer. I was interviewing Don about a trip members of the Kent fire and police departments arranged for him and his wife, Heidi. It was an all expenses paid trip to see the 2011 Sugar Bowl, which saw Beckett's favorite Ohio State University Buckeyes beat the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in dramatic fashion. The diagnosis was somewhat bewildering to Beckett because he didn't smoke or drink and, instead, enjoyed a life filled with cycling, hiking and kayaking. "I don’t have any of the…

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Colin McEwen

2:14 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011

Thanks for sharing this story, Matt.   more ›

Kent Firefighter Loses Battle to Cancer

Don Beckett retired in August after 23 years on the fire department

Kent firefighter Don Beckett lost his 11-month battle with cancer today. Beckett's fight with cancer started in December, when doctors found a tumor in his esophagus. He's been undergoing aggressive treatments since, and in August he was forced to retire from the Kent Fire Department. His Facebook page evolved into a memorial today as friends and family posted farewell messages. Look for the full obituary Thursday on Kent Patch.

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Barbara A. Barkley

10:18 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Beckett's family and friends. He is a true hero. My brother lost his six-year battle with throat cancer last December at the age of 48. His passing left such a void in our lives, but we have been able to find some comfort in knowing his pain and suffering are over.   more ›

Roosevelt Senior Fighting Cancer Nominated for 'Rudy' Award

Ryan Anderson is up for the award given to high school football players who inspire their team

Don't let Ryan Anderson fool you. His battle with bone cancer may force him to use a crutch to get around occassionally, but that hasn't stopped him from attending every home Rough Riders football game this season. Better still, the osteogenic sarcoma in his femur couldn't stop his latest accomplishment — being crowned 2011 Theodore Roosevelt High School Homecoming King this past weekend. Now his mother, coach and supporters are hopeful for another big success — 2011 Rudy Award Winner. Anderson's coach, John Nemec, nominated the former star lineman for the award this fall that celebrates "outstanding young athletes — not because of their statistical performance, but because of their ability to inspire teammates, classmates and communities…

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Roosevelt Senior Continues Cancer Fight

Ryan Anderson's disease has sidelined him at football games, but he's still going for his teammates

PHOTOS: Firefighter Honored at Retirement Gathering

Don Beckett greeted friends and well-wishers Thursday at Kent's Fire Station One

Friends and family gathered around Don Beckett to wish him well in his retirement Thursday night at Kent Fire Station One. Beckett, who is battling esophageal cancer, retired in August after 23 years as a firefighter in Kent. The decision to retire because of his cancer was a difficult one that Beckett wrote about on his blog here on Kent Patch. His wife, Heidi, gave a brief update on his medical condition. She told the crowd, which filled the station's basement, that they were stopping chemotherapy treatment until he could put on some more weight and regain some of his strength. The esophageal cancer makes eating solid foods almost impossible — something that makes therapy even more difficult. On a positive note, Heidi said they were …

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Around Town and Gown

Meet our Newest Blogger: Don Beckett

The Kent firefighter battling cancer updates us on his condition in his first blog for Kent Patch

When I first met Don Beckett, we were sitting in the kitchen of Kent's West Side Fire Station. Don slowly peeled and ate an orange while I interviewed him about his battle with esophageal cancer — a condition that makes eating incredibly painful. I was struck by the fact that this man was fighting a raging internal battle with his own body, yet he was still working full-time as a firefighter-paramedic in Kent. It's a job that can wrench you out of bed at 3 a.m. and send you to an accident scene or into a burning building. I remember asking myself if I could continue to do a job where people may rely on me for their lives when I'm battling for my own. Sure enough, in the middle of our interview the department's call tones rang out and Don …

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Packed House for Don Beckett Reverse Raffle

Big crowd turned out to support Kent firefighter battling cancer

The Kent Firefighters Association held a reverse raffle to benefit Don Beckett, a Kent firefighter who is in a battle with inoperable esophageal cancer. Friday night's fundraiser included dinner, games, and raffles for those who attended. The event raised $16,000 to support the Beckett family. That follows a $5,000 fundraiser started by Don Joseph Toyota on Facebook to help the family cover medical expenses. Beckett, a 22-year veteran of the department, is on extended sick leave from the fire department as he undergoes treatment.

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Don Beckett

7:50 am on Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My family and I are so grateful for all the hard work by the Committee and all the caring persons who attended and donated to the event. We are so blessed to be a part of this Community! Don Beckett   more ›