Woman runs half marathon to honor sister
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

Contributed Photo For A Cure Susie Slattery, Camie Berglund, Polly Wilkins and Laura Pustejovsky are among those who ranin the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, held Sunday. Wilkins ran and raised $3,300 for The American Cancer Society in memory of her sister Amy Viola Enters, who died of cancer Oct. 27 at the age of 40. Wilkins said she hopes donations made in her sister's name "will aid in the search for a cure to all cancers," Wilkins said.

Most of the attention may have been focused on the runners in the lead of the Chevron Houston Marathon Sunday morning, but hearts were pumping and legs burning by some local women who were pounding the pavement for a much nobler cause than a cowboy hat and cash. They were running in memory of a recent victim of cancer, Amy Viola Enters, sister of Northside Elementary School fourth grade teacher Polly Wilkins.

Enters died Oct. 27 of inflammatory breast cancer at the age of 40. She battled courageously for two-and-a-half years before, as her sister said at the time of her death, "she crossed the finish line."

Wilkins decided to raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of her sister by running in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. She sent out an e-mail and ACS donation link to friends and family.

"I am raising money for The American Cancer Society in memory of my sister, Amy, by running in The Houston Half Marathon on Jan. 13th 2008," the e-mail read. "This a very important cause to me, and I'm sure to those of you too whose lives have been touched by cancer. I'm writing today to ask for your help by making a contribution! I thank you in advance for your support, and really appreciate your generosity!"

Those friends and family came through, giving Wilkins something to run for: $3,300 in donations, or $251.91 for every mile of the 13.1-mile half marathon.

"I was amazed at the number of contributors," the 42- year-old educator said. Individual amounts ranged anywhere from $25 to $500.

"I am hoping this wonderful act of kindness will aid in the search for a cure for all cancers. She (Amy) lived a Christian, vivacious life.

"Amy touched many lives because of her strong desire to help anyone in need. Amy never complained and accepted her cancer as an opportunity to show others her faith and to help them along their journey," the older sister said.

Wilkins said she trained with Susie Slattery and Laura Pustejovsky for the run. Camie Berglund joined the race with them along with friends and family she calls her "wonderful cheering club": mother-in-law Sallie Wilkins, children Kari and Matthew Wilkins, Julie Fuechec and Kimberly Couvillion. Others who contributed and ran in Amy's memory were B.J. Swenson and Lisa Raun.