By Khalida Sarwari
It’s been five years since the passing of Susie Nagpal, the Saratoga councilwoman beloved for her compassionate spirit, but her family and friends are helping to keep her memory alive by continuing her work. On May 24, Nagpal’s family is hosting a 5K walk and run to raise awareness about lung cancer and money to help eradicate the disease.
Titled “Stride for Susie,” the event offers a day packed with activities, music and entertainment. Following the walk and run segment of the event, participants are invited to indulge in some food, take a free Bollywood dance class and stick around for a ceremony where prizes will be awarded in different categories.
“It’s for everyone who wants a casual walk on a Sunday morning to those who want to get a run in, and it’s for a great cause,” said Adeeti Ullal, Nagpal’s 28-year-old niece. “We’re walking for everyone who’s been affected by this disease.”
The event was started in 2010 by Ullal’s mother and Nagpal’s sister, Jayshree Ullal, as a way to celebrate the memory of her late sister and raise money for lung cancer research. More than 300 people attended the last time it was held in 2012. All of the proceeds from the event will go toward the Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides patient services and conducts clinical research.
“It’s just a great organization to support lung cancer,” said Ullal, who serves on the nonprofit’s youth advisory board. “They actually helped us when my aunt was sick. They’re very intimately familiar with the whole process and they help break it down. One of the things I think this organization does a tremendous job of is not only research but supporting people.”
The organization also seeks to eradicate the stigma lung cancer patients have against them due to their disease being closely linked to smoking, said Ullal.
“My aunt was only 46; she had never smoked, and that’s a very common cause of lung cancer,” Ullal said. “There’s a stereotype that all patients smoke; that’s not true. Slowly we’re finding out more.”
Nagpal was the first Indian-American elected to the Saratoga City Council. She passed away a few days after Mother’s Day in 2010. Councilman Rishi Kumar served on the planning commission with her and later helped her run her campaign for city council.
“[She] was an inspiring person and a great role model for our community. She cared for all and was a charismatic, energetic persona who contributed in a huge way to all of Saratoga,” Kumar said.
Stride for Susie will be held at Saratoga High School. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the race at 10 a.m. Aside from the walk and run, there will be a 100-meter kiddie dash.
Registration is $30 for the general public and $15 for students and seniors. The cost increases by $5 on the day of the event. All participants receive a T-shirt upon registration that they can pick up at the race site.
To register or learn more about the event, visit saratoga2015.yournextstepisthecure.org.
