The chill of a crisp, autumn morning welcomed runners and walkers from all over Berks County to Blue Marsh Lake for the third annual Gray Matter Matters 5K in support of the American Brain Tumor Association.
About 80 runners raised roughly $6,000, organizers said.
Event coordinator Rachel Kline said in her opening remarks that the organization supports families affected by brain tumors, provides monetary donations to scientists for research and hosts classes for patients dealing with brain tumors.
In 2012, the Kline family began working to raise money for the organization in remembrance of a family member who died shortly after a brain tumor diagnosis.
“My sister (Kate) and I were thinking ‘well let’s do some sort of fundraiser,’ ” Kline said. “We just want to donate to an organization.”
Kline, a Mohnton native who lives in Lancaster, said the event has grown every year.
Candelario Matos Jr., 49, of Reading is currently battling a brain tumor.
The Reading resident was diagnosed on July 10, 2015, and has since maintained a positive attitude and outlook toward his treatment.
“My goal in life is to help one person a day,” Matos said.
Rachel Kline met Matos through junior high school softball.
She played for Gov. Mifflin and Matos coached for Reading, where he and Kline’s father, Pat, of Mohnton eventually began coaching together.
When the Kline family became aware of Matos’s diagnosis, they included his name on the banner for the first 5K to display their support, and they have been supporting and lifting his spirits ever since.
“I was so humbled. It’s really blossomed into something,” Matos said.
He said his treatments are going well and he has not yet had the side effects that most people report.
“There are a lot of people fighting cancer that could just use a ‘hello,’ ” Matos said. “Ask how they’re doing. It means so much.”
Michael Fitzgerald, who organizes Fitzy’s Halloween 5K and Fun Run/Walk, in late October presented the Klines with $500 from Lauren’s Foundation, a Wyomissing-based nonprofit.
His daughter Lauren was a 2003 Wyomissing High School graduate who died at age 20 in 2005 of a brain tumor. His annual fundraiser has resulted in the awarding of $60,000 in scholarships to 48 students.