MT. ARARAT SENIOR Rusty Wilkins is organizing a 5K to support his friend, Rusty Rancourt, who is battling cancer.
T he American Cancer Society of Maine (ACS) is thrilled and inspired by our new supporter, Rusty Wilkins. This enthusiastic Mt. Ararat senior has cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheel chair and can only communicate through a laptop, yet he serves as an inspiration to his classmates, community and most anyone who meets him. Rusty loves sports, racing and fundraising, so decided to put his passions together for his senior capstone project. He created the Rusty Rolls 5k Road Race. The race is being held Saturday, April 8 at 9 a.m. at the Topsham Rec Field on Foreside Road. Registration is $15 per person and $25 per family. Rusty’s friend Rusty Rancourt is battling cancer, so the two decided all registration fees would go to benefit ACS Relay For Life of Brunswick.
“When we first heard of this amazing student wanting to do such a selfless thing, it makes you take a step back and really look at life. Rusty faces so many challenges every day, and yet he is still giving of himself to try and help others who are struggling. It’s truly inspirational and we are honored to work with Rusty and help him achieve his goals in any way we can with this project,” says Brian Casalinova with the American Cancer Society.
Rusty has served as manager on his school’s baseball team, basketball team and girls field hockey team. He and his cousin, James Anderson, have completed several 5k and 10k races as well as two marathons (pictured left). He’s won numerous awards for his efforts. When Rusty graduates, he’d like to become a professional fundraiser.
“Rusty has done more for Mt. Ararat athletics than Mt Ararat Athletics has done for Rusty. The kids who play are talented, and although practice and play hard, they have ever had to overcome the barriers that Rusty deals with every day. Rusty gives them a more realistic perspective on how lucky they are,” says former Mt. Ararat Athletic Director, Todd Sampson.
Rusty Rancourt’s business, Rusty’s Market is providing free food to participants. Prizes will be awarded via a lottery-type system using participants’ bib numbers. The first 100 registrants will receive free t-shirts.
For more information or to register for Rusty Rolls 5k visit www.mtasports.com.
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