Calabasas Classic gearing up

Annual race supports families coping with illness



HANGING IN THERE—While undergoing treatment, Daniel keeps a good attitude.

HANGING IN THERE—While undergoing treatment, Daniel keeps a good attitude.

The Talbert Family Foundation is looking for runners to compete in the 2011 Calabasas Classic, a race that will support 26 local families whose members have been diagnosed with serious illnesses.

The eighth annual race will be Sun., Nov. 13 at the Calabasas Civic Center and will include a 5K, 10K, family fun run and business expo with an emphasis on healthy living.

The foundation was established by Lloyd and Julie Talbert of Hidden Hills. Julie Talbert, executive director, said about 2,850 people participated in last year’s race. She hopes to reach 3,000 this year.

The 2011 race beneficiaries will include two teachers from Canoga Park whose child was diagnosed with leukemia in March, and a single dad from Reseda whose son has undergone more than three years of chemotherapy treatments.

Jose Alvarez said he and his son, Matthew, who was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2010, depend on the Talbert Family Foundation’s support to cope with financial and emotional difficulties. Alvarez reduced his work hours in order to spend more time with his son, who is undergoing chemotherapy at Kaiser Permanente.

Matthew also recently lost his grandmother to cancer.

Although he’s still undergoing treatment, the boy was able to return to Chaparral Elementary earlier this fall to attend fourth grade with his peers.

“Matthew is still fighting in light of his grandma passing. He’s still trying to get back to society,” said Alvarez, who seeks sponsors for Team Matthew in the 2011 jog-athon.

“I want to do this Classic to inspire Matthew and celebrate my mother’s life and what she represented. The strength and positive attitude that we have as a family is because of Grandma,” said Alvarez, who works at Gelson’s Market in Calabasas. “She had great faith and incredible courage.”

Talbert Foundation programs are designed for families with short-term financial needs caused by a serious illness that impacts their stability. Beneficiaries accepted into the program must conduct a fundraising campaign to participate.

In most cases, all proceeds received from campaigns go directly to the family.

Calabasas resident Allison Watters, who became involved with the Talbert Family Foundation in 2009 after the child of one of her friends was diagnosed with cancer, said the local nonprofit organization provides precious assistance to people in need.

“It’s a beautiful way to give back to the community. I have been so touched and so moved by just strangers wanting to help these families. I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” said the mother of two, who lost her childhood best friend to cancer at age 9.

In addition to helping the foundation, Watters is organizing a second annual toy drive to bring some holiday joy to one of the foundation’s families.

This year’s recipients will be the Sherry family of Canoga Park. Son Daniel was diagnosed last spring with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At the time of diagnosis he was a kindergartner. He has a 3-year-old sister.

“ Both parents are local teachers and in a dire financial situation since one parent will be unable to work while they care for their son over the course of his grueling 3½-year chemotherapy treatment plan,” Watters said.

Talbert said assistance provided by Watters, the City of Calabasas and other volunteers is essential. The foundation is seeking more helpers to organize and staff about 150 positions at the Calabasas Classic.

For more information about the Talbert Family Foundation and its families, visit http:// talbertfamilyfoundation.org. To contribute to the toy drive for Daniel, email Alison Watters at alisonwatters@mac.com.


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