5K walk, 10K run and $100G in sights for Cooke Trek Sunday May 18

By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD —The Bob Cooke Memorial Trek Against Skin Cancer has reached its fifth year, and it’s quite possible the five-year total will exceed the $100,000 mark by the end of Sunday’s event.
In the first four years of the trek, which is dedicated to the memory of Robert N. Cooke, known as “Mr. Milford” because of his record of community service, about $80,000 was raised.
The trek is the result of a mission by Cooke’s daughter, Sherrill, to shine a spotlight on the disease that killed her father four years ago.
The event will be held at 2 p.m. at Milford’s Lisman Landing. The trek features a 5K walk and a 10K run or bike ride that starts at Lisman Landing and takes a scenic beach route to Fort Trumbull and Silver Sands State Park.
Sherrill Cooke said research shows that one in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime, and one person dies every 33 minutes from this disease.
“This initiative serves to increase both funding and public awareness of a cancer that affects so many. My dad fought a courageous 11-year battle with skin cancer, yet through it all maintained the incredible sense of humor that he was well-known for. The trek is a tribute and honor to him and a way to help others that are faced with this illness,” Sherrill Cooke said.
Bob Cooke served as vice president of Fleet Bank, now Bank of America. He helped found the Milford Oyster Festival, initiated Milford’s Pride, served as president of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross chapter and of Kiwanis, chairman of the United Way, and served on the board of Boys Village and as a member of the Milford Club. He was also a deacon and trustee of the First United Church of Christ Congregational.
Diane Hayden, co-chair of the event, stressed that early detection is the key in surviving skin cancer.
“The most important thing that we can do for the community is to educate them on the dangers of tanning beds, especially our youth. The foundation and the awareness that it provides can make a difference in the lives of everyone in the community and perhaps even save some lives,” Hayden said.
Entertainment will include live music, a raffle, a silent auction, wine, beer and cheese tasting and prize giveaways. Free dinner, drinks, T-shirts, gift bags and games for the kids will round out the day.
The trek is sponsored by Maui Jim, Connecticut Dermatology & Dermatologic Society, Subway, the New Haven County Medical Association, STAR 99.9 and The Milford Kiwanis Club, will benefit skin cancer research.
For more information, visit www.RNCwalk.com.