❒ Hundreds expected at event held in honor of long-time raceway employee diagnosed last year

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Ever wondered what a premier race track looks like at ground level?

Or what it feels like under your feet?

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to get out and exercise more, you have a golden opportunity this weekend to find out.

On Saturday Sonoma Raceway will host the second annual John’s March Against Stomach Cancer fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit No Stomach For Cancer.

The event was launched last year after the March 2011 diagnosis of long-time Sonoma employee John Cardinale.

Cardinale, who was diagnosed with Stage IV gastric cancer, will lead this year’s 12-turn, 2.52-mile walk around Sonoma’s road course to raise money for stomach cancer research and awareness.

“Stomach cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the world, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information,” said Diana Brennan, Sonoma director of media and communications, adding that about 400 people participated in last year’s walk.

“The American Cancer Society estimates there are one million new cases diagnosed in the world each year, with more than 800,000 deaths annually, yet it is one of the least-funded cancers in terms of research.”

That last fact spurred Cardinale to turn his diagnosis into a positive.

“Research for this form of cancer is underfunded in this country, and exposure is minimal,” he said in a Sonoma news release.

“My mission is to make people aware of stomach cancer and to one day help find a cure. We have to end the needless suffering of so many people and their families.”

To participate, the suggested minimum donation is $40, which includes the walk/run around the course, a T-shirt and light refreshments following the march.

Everybody is invited to participate, including children and pets, Brennan said. For those who cannot complete the 2.52-mile course, a shorter, less hilly course available.

Those who cannot attend but would like to make a donation in honor of the event may print and complete the John’s March Against Stomach Cancer donation form at nostomachforcancer.org/support-us/events and mail it with a check, payable to No Stomach for Cancer Inc. All donations will be acknowledged.

“This is really an incredible opportunity to participate in a one-of-a-kind event,” said Brennan, a Benicia resident.

“It’s the perfect way to get some great exercise, enjoy an incredible view of one of the country’s top road courses and help a very worthy cause.

“It’s like checking off all your New Year’s resolutions at once!”

Learn more about No Stomach for Cancer at www.nostomachforcancer.org.

If You Go
John’s March Against Stomach Cancer will be at the Sonoma Raceway, 29355 Arnold Drive, in Sonoma, on Saturday. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the march will begin at 10 a.m.