WALK ACROSS AMERICA AGAINST CANCER
Miss Pohlman's class had an interesting visitor on Monday, March 11th. Jim Hickey was in Springfield on his walk across America. He set out on September 5, 2001, to increase public awareness of the devastation cancer causes and to raise funds for cancer research. He lost his father to prostate cancer in September of 1995. His brother was diagnosed with the disease six months later and has since had successful surgery.
This is the second time that Mr. Hickey has embarked on this crusade. In September, 1998, he started in Middleton, New York, and walked alone with a 45-pound backpack and no sponsor or support vehicle. He supported himself through 20 jobs along the way and the help of American Legion and Eagle Lodge Posts. Without a sponsor or a support vehicle, we was not able to cross the desert alone. He returned to his home in New Jersey determined to try one more time.
Hickey is unmarried and without children. He gave up a restaurant-management job, his apartment, and his car.
Jim Hickey is requesting any donations to be made payable to the City of Hope. The money will be used for cancer research and treatment programs at the City of Hope.
