Canes run for cancer research

Event honors fan who died young

RALEIGH -- Rod Brind'Amour pushed himself toward the finish line in the Friesen 5K Fun Run, legs churning, showing the intensity fans always see in Carolina Hurricanes games.

Brind'Amour didn't finish first, but this event wasn't about times or trophies. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Eastern N.C. chapter. More than 1,000 people turned out at the RBC Center on a sunny, steamy day to be a part of it.

Brind'Amour was one of 34 players and team staff members who participated, and the Carolina captain was "low Cane" among the runners.

"I don't do any long-distance running, but I wanted to do this," Brind'Amour said. "The more guys who support this, the bigger it will be.

"The theme today -- and what we're doing this for -- is to raise awareness for leukemia and cancer. When you know someone who has been touched by this, know a family touched by it, that makes it even more special and you want to be a part of it."

The family touched by the disease is Mark and Kate Rowe, whose Raleigh neighbors include Canes coach Peter Laviolette. The Rowes' daughter, Julia, recently died at age 8 after suffering from leukemia.

Julia Rowe's courageous fight against the disease helped inspire the Canes in their Stanley Cup run in 2006. One team motto was "Relentless," and Laviolette gave out bottles of "Relentless" wine to Canes players during the Cup run.

"The Hurricanes have made this a community, and it has come together to support a great cause," Mark Rowe said. "It's a terrible disease and affects a lot of kids and adults.

"Losing anybody to this disease is a tragedy. Certainly we've been affected by that, and we're just so happy to see such support from the community."

Among the Canes making the run were Justin Williams, Scott Walker, Ray Whitney, Chad LaRose, Cam Ward and Niclas Wallin. Mike Commodore, a former Carolina defenseman now with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was a late arrival but ran the 5K course alone.

Laviolette ran, as did the Canes' assistant coaches. Jim Rutherford, the team's general manager, was among those who walked the course.

"Having Canes fans, the players, staff, management, all these people come out is a great showing for something I think is a very positive event, for a great cause,," Laviolette said.

Pete Friesen, the team's head trainer and the event organizer, said: "It was a great turnout. You can't ask for anything better. It is growing, slowly but surely. I'm pretty sure we'll be able to generate over $20,000 [for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society]."

Perhaps the oldest runner was Ed Hamilton of Greensboro. Hamilton, 80, said he ran the past two years and won a prize -- a Justin Williams autographed stick.

"Wouldn't have missed it," he said. "It's for a good cause."