The 8th Annual Hyde Park Blast will be held this year on June 27,, 2009 with a full day of fun and exercise opportunities for adults, kids and cycling enthusiasts followed by the Blast Block Party and sidewalk sale with The Rusty Griswolds, one of Cincinnati’s most popular bands.
Jeff Eggleston, a Mt. Lookout resident and vice president at Fifth Third bank, and Amy Matalka, a resident of Middletown and office administrator at Indiana Wesleyan University in West Chester, will be the 2009 Hyde Park Blast ambassadors. Both are young cancer survivors.
The Hyde Park Blast was co-founded by Cheryl Koopman and Chad Sims, both Hyde Park residents, as a way for the community to have fun, be active and raise money for a good cause – the fight against cancer. Since 2001, more than $200,000 has been donated to CancerFree Kids, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Wellness Community in addition to Give Back Cincinnati.
“We’re launching the event ambassador program to raise awareness among the Blast participants throughout the day that the Hyde Park Blast is a fundraiser for cancer organizations,” said Cheryl Koopman, co-founder of the Blast. “Jeff and Amy were both diagnosed with cancer in their 30’s and were able to recover quickly, in part because of their healthy lifestyles and the support they received.”
A portion of the proceeds raised in the 2009 Hyde Park Blast will be donated to the Shemenski Foundation on behalf of Jeff Eggleston. The Shemenski Foundation raises money for cancer non-profits and was named after John Shemenski, a close friend who died this past year after battling brain cancer.
The Wellness Community will receive proceeds this year in Amy Matalka’s name. “Cancer has given me another reason to live and a positive outlook on life. Like a “second” chance! What seemed like a tragedy when it all began has become a life-changing event that I can share with and help others,” said Matalka. “I thank The Wellness Community for their love, support and hope! I have been truly blessed by this special gift.”
Anyone interested in running or walking training for the four-mile race should contact Joe Brinkman at The Running Spot in O’Bryonville for training group information (321-3006).
