Linda’s Trail of Love, 3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024, 10:00 AM, at Columbia Trail/Train Station, 9 Railroad Ave., Califon, NJ 07830. Guests may also participate virtually on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Ticket information:

In-person tickets: $20 in advance by Friday, May 17, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET. Tickets are $25 day of the event. Cash and check are the only forms of payment accepted the day of the event.

Virtual tickets: $20 in advance until Sunday, May 19, 2024, 11:55 PM, EST.

Children 12 and under are admitted free to Linda's Trail of Love, 3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk event for either the in-person or virtual event, but must be registered.

To register, click here.

About the event:

Linda's Trail of Love, 3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk, will benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and fund research of esophageal cancer...in hopes of a cure.™

Esophageal Cancer Research:

2015: First esophageal cancer research grant awarded.

2018: Second esophageal cancer research grant awarded.

2023: Salgi awards THREE additional grants for esophageal cancer research.

Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Early Detection:

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has also raised awareness and encouraged early detection both nationally AND internationally since 2011. Your continued support directly impacts and sustains this mission!

In Hopes of a CURE™!

Sponsorships Available!

Sponsorships are available! The deadline for sponsors is Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

To view the various sponsorship opportunities, click here!

#SalgiWalkforLinda

Whether you are participating in-person or virtually, please remember to take pictures during your walk or run! When posting your photos on social media, use the hashtag #SalgiWalkforLinda and tag us @SalgiFoundation. Social media pages/profiles must be public for us to view and share. You can also email them to salgifoundation @ gmail . com to be posted! The deadline to submit photos is Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 5:00 PM EST.

Virtual event information:

Virtual guests of the Linda’s Trail of Love, 3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk, can participate in their neighborhood, on a trail, bike path, track, by the ocean, river, or wherever guests would like to walk or run. Guests can also bicycle, rollerblade, skateboard, swim, the possibilities are endless! Since the virtual event is not timed, guests are able to participate at their own pace, at any time on Sunday.

The event is in loving memory of Ms. Linda Klueber

This annual fundraiser is in honor of Linda Klueber – Mother, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, nurse, volunteer, and hero – who passed away from esophageal cancer on September 30, 2021.

Through this annual event, Linda's family hopes to spread awareness of esophageal cancer, advocate for families facing this disease, and raise money to help fund research. Esophageal cancer is currently underfunded, Linda's family hopes that more targeted treatments and immunotherapies will be developed with the help of contributions through Linda's Trail of Love, Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk.

Linda’s journey with esophageal cancer was typical of the many others who suffer from this disease. The worrisome signs of heartburn and reflux were dismissed, and an endoscopy was only scheduled after Linda began having difficulty swallowing. In August 2019, Linda was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal adenocarcinoma. Her two-year journey was challenging, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even though targeted treatments for her specific condition were not available, Linda did not give up hope and tried every treatment available. Linda passed peacefully in September 2021 but is still ever-present in all our lives.

Linda was the oldest of 7 Guarino siblings, mother to Katie Ablett (husband Eric) and Michael Klueber, and a grandmother to Valerie Catherine Ablett. She had over 25 nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law and several brothers-in-law, and hundreds of friends. Linda's extended family includes many Guarino aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Linda was a born leader and cared deeply for everyone. She led like a friend, without being bossy, stubborn, or partial. Linda was a wise peacemaker and the best listener. She was also a silent warrior and made it through tumultuous times with a smile and her loving nature. She had a great sense of humor that could always turn situations from bad to hilarious. Linda was a dedicated volunteer with the Somerset County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and the Canal Walk Health and Safety Awareness Team. Linda's love, laughter, and caring nature will be her lasting legacy.

Donations are welcome!

If you are unable to participate but would still like to make a difference, you can donate to the event. Also, everyone can create an online custom fundraising page to help make an even bigger impact. 

Click here to donate or to create your own fundraiser!

Thank You Sponsor!

Follow Greystone Financial Group, LLC on social media!

• Facebook.com/GreystoneFinancialGroupLLC
• Instagram.com/greystonefinancialgroupllc
• Linkedin.com/company/greystone-financial-group-llc
• Twitter.com/GreyStone_LLC

Learn the facts about esophageal cancer:

-Esophageal cancer has increased over 733% in the past four decades and is considered the fastest growing cancer in the US and western world.

-Risk factors include:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, acid reflux, chronic heartburn),
• obesity,
• poor nutrition,
• tobacco use,
• excessive alcohol use,
• Barrett’s esophagus.

-As one of the deadliest cancers, esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 21.7%.

-There are no routine or standard screenings to improve early detection of esophageal cancer.

-Symptoms often arise late once the cancer is considered advanced or “distant” (spread to lymph nodes and other organs.)

-Stage IV esophageal cancer has a survival rate of only 5.6%.

-Despite all these facts, esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded.

-In 2024, an estimated 22,370 will be diagnosed and there will be an estimated 16,130 deaths.

Make a difference!

Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to help make a difference against esophageal cancer. Whether you walk, run, volunteer, sponsor or donate, your involvement will directly support this life-saving mission. Thank you!