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Irish Whisper Walk brings out the best in people

| 30 Apr 2013 | 11:35
    Photos by Ginny Raue Little feet do a little Irish Jig before the Irish Whisper Walk. Karley Labita, 3, is one of many participants who were dancing as a warm-up to the walk.
    Photos by Ginny Raue Little feet do a little Irish Jig before the Irish Whisper Walk. Karley Labita, 3, is one of many participants who were dancing as a warm-up to the walk.
    More than 400 walkers showed up for the Irish Whisper Walk in the beautiful spring weather last Saturday.
    More than 400 walkers showed up for the Irish Whisper Walk in the beautiful spring weather last Saturday.
    Two young men, friends since boyhood, share the knowledge of the loss of their fathers. Danny Kane, right, lost his father to lymphoma. Owen Earl lost his dad earlier this year. This year's Irish Whisper Walk of Hope in Memory of Danny Kane was dedicated to Gary Earl as well as Danny Kane.
    Two young men, friends since boyhood, share the knowledge of the loss of their fathers. Danny Kane, right, lost his father to lymphoma. Owen Earl lost his dad earlier this year. This year's Irish Whisper Walk of Hope in Memory of Danny Kane was dedicated to Gary Earl as well as Danny Kane.

By Ginny Raue
WEST MILFORD — When Patty Kane faced the crowd of 400-plus walkers on Saturday, her emotions took more ups and downs than the Coney Island Cyclone. The fourth annual Irish Whisper Walk of Hope, in memory of Patty’s husband, Danny Kane, benefits the Lymphoma Research Foundation in research and emotional support for families of those afflicted with the disease.

Danny Kane lost his battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2009. He was a well known and much loved resident of West Milford; a husband, father, teacher, coach and friend to many.

“Today is for Danny and for the community, celebrating life,” Patty Kane said. “This event runs on friendship power. Danny always said that the best medicine is family and friends.”

As the walkers made their way around Pinecliff Lake, they were joined in spirit with walkers doing likewise in Italy, Ireland, Los Angeles, Florida, South Carolina and Lake Placid. All those pounding feet, all those dogs on leashes and babies in strollers, in unity they amassed in excess of $50,000 to help support the critical research needed to eradicate Lymphoma. With corporate matching funds not yet accounted for, the numbers will go higher in the next few weeks.

Kane saluted the crowd of friends, cancer survivors and care takers. She also dedicated the event to Gary Earl, a long-time friend and West Milford resident who died recently. She recognized that within the crowd were many with heavy hearts. “May all your prayers be heard,” she said.

Believing that the success of the Irish Whisper Walk can have a positive effect on people working for other causes, Kane introduced 10-year-old April Roccisano who ran a fund raiser for her 10th birthday to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Along with her family, she delivered $1,475 to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital regional events facility in New York City.

Summing up her feelings on the support the event enjoys, the many other benefit events that run in town and the help of all the emergency services Kane said, “How beautiful to live in a town like this.”