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Kayaker raises $8000 for cancer research
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NEWARK -- As Forest Rose paddled his way down the Ohio River, perfect strangers were so moved by his compassionate mission that they came forward with meals, lodging and places to bathe.
"There were all kind of people who helped me on the trip," Rose said. "The first five people I talked to (in Madison, Ind.) had something happen to their family with cancer. It was very welcome what I was doing for cancer."
Rose departed Newark in May on a 1,800-mile kayak trip to New Orleans to raise money for children's cancer research. He traveled 936 miles in 36 days, raised more than $8,000 for Children's Hospital. He plans to complete the second half of the trip next summer.
Tonight, he will share stories and photos during a benefit concert for Gabby Wysocki's education fund at Vineyard Church of Licking County, 7602 Stewart Road, Newark. Music will be provided by Knights of Heaven and Level 7. The event begins at 7 p.m.; donations will be accepted at the door.
Wysocki, a child at his church who has an inoperable brain tumor, inspired Rose to embark on the fundraising trip. He asked donors to make gifts to Children's Hospital in her name.
Rachel Heine, associate director of annual giving at the Columbus hospital, said the $8,000 raised came from approximately 100 donors.
"Most of those people had never even given to the hospital before," she said. "He did really great. Not too many people take individual journeys like he did."
Rose and a traveling partner left Newark on May 16, but the partner decided to return home after five days, so Rose completed the final 31 days by himself. He soon found, however, that he wasn't alone. He made friends and drew attention wherever he went.
"I was in 10 different newspapers and on television, supposedly, twice," Rose said.
Although he brought a tent and cooking gear, he did not have to rely on them. Generosity poured from people who heard his story, he said. Waitresses refused to take his money, anonymous customers covered his bill, and fishermen offered him places to sleep.
When Rose's kayak was tossed into a dock by a nearby boat, his camera, carrying almost two weeks of photos, was tossed into the river. A gentleman from Cincinnati found the camera, which was sealed in a plastic container, and sent it back to Rose.
Life on the water was rather uneventful, he said, aside from a couple of close encounters with nature and rough waters in Louisville.
"There were more speed boats, house boats and yachts than any other place on the river and the water was all churned up," he said.
Rose never rolled his kayak, though. He credits the stability of his 17.5-foot Eddyline.
The biggest catastrophe happened not on the river, but back home in Licking County. His wife, Helen, was rear-ended in a crash near Dawes Arboretum.
"The last week I was awfully concerned about her and didn't know if I should come home or not," he said.
His children advised him that she was recovering and he should continue on to the Mississippi and stop there.
A relative came to Cairo, Ill., where the Ohio meets the Mississippi, to drive him home.
"That was humbling," Rose said. "I was on the river 36 days and it took eight hours to get home."
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