Outlaw Foundation raises $12,000 in run/walk event benefiting patients
By Steve Herring
Published in News on March 30, 2016 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The third annual Outlaw Foundation 5K Run/Walk netted $12,000 -- all of which will go to provide financial assistance to families of cancer patients.
Since it was started in January of 2014 the foundation has raised more than $300,000 and has helped more than 80 families from across eastern North Carolina affected by cancer.
Cancer survivor Bill Outlaw founded The Outlaw Foundation to assist families stricken by cancer.
It was after visiting a friend who had just found out she had the same disease that Outlaw had suffered that he said he was inspired by God to create the foundation.
His wife, Candace, said the name should be The Outlaw Foundation called O3 -- Outlaw Outlast Outlive (cancer).
"The O3 would like to thank all of our participants, sponsors, and volunteers for making this event happen," said Jessica Bryan, one of the run/walk organizers.
The Saturday, March 19, event attracted 260 participants of all ages including 82-year-old J.L. Barefoot, who completed the one-mile event using his walker.
Brittney Bradshaw, 26, of Faison won the female division of the 5K, and Devin McClamb, 13, of Dunn, won the male division.
"For the first year we gave out the Cynthia Smith Team Participation award to honor the memory of Cynthia Smith," Ms. Bryan said. "This award represents courage, friendship, and determination.
"Teams formed could be in support of someone, in honor or memory, that has been affected by cancer. The winner is determined by the most participants on a team. Our first recipient of this award went to the EE2 team. The team of 23 was formed in memory of Elinor Ezzell."
Ms. Smith is a friend of the Outlaw family and who lost her battle to leukemia in March of 2014. She was diagnosed in January 2013.
Sheryl Lau of Herbert, a recipient of the foundation's help, and Dr. Samer Kasbari from Southeastern Medical Oncology spoke during the opening ceremony.
The foundation will have a booth at the N.C. Pickle Festival on Saturday, April 23, to sell its merchandise.
Its third annual golf tournament is set for Friday, Oct. 14, at Southern Wayne Country Club.
To learn more about the foundation, make a donation or purchase merchandise, visit the website at www.theoutlawfoundation.com or follow it on Facebook (The Outlaw Foundation).