Event to raise money for rare, aggressive cancer
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I do not know what death is, but someday I too will die. Hopefully, I will leave behind a better world for my passing.

As a high school junior at Roseville Area High School, Karen Wyckoff wrote those sentences in an essay. Little did she know then how true they would become.

Wyckoff died Aug. 28, 2001, at the age of 25. While her life had ended, her legacy had just begun.

Wyckoff succumbed to a rare, aggressive form of cancer called sarcoma, which attacks connective tissues such as fat, blood vessels, nerves, bones and muscles.

She was always generous with her time, friends say. In college at Williamette University in Oregon, Wyckoff volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for those in need. She also brought the AIDS quilt to campus to raise awareness.

In came as no surprise to many, then, when she conceived, organized and planned an event to raise money for sarcoma research. The inaugural "Rein in Sarcoma" was held in July 2001, just weeks before her death. It raised over $10,000 for research.

"It was very much like Karen completely - that's who she was," said Sarah Giga, a friend of Wyckoff's who now helps plan Rein in Sarcoma. "She was always very involved in different charitable activities."

Her friends and family picked up where Wyckoff left off and will host the fourth annual "Rein in Sarcoma" July 28.

"It has definitely grown," Giga said. "The first year, it was mostly immediate friends and family. Last year, 600 people attended."

The annual fund-raiser expands every year, Giga said. Last year, a social hour was added just for patients, survivors and those affected by sarcoma. At 6 p.m., the event kicks off with musical entertainment, a silent auction and unlimited carousel rides. The activities are all offered at a suggested donation of $10 a person or $20 a family.

"It is the only organization of its kind in the Upper Midwest," Giga said. "This year, there are more kids' events, and we're hosting a book walk and magician."

This year, the location will change a little, but visitors will be able to take advantage of the new locale with tours. The event will take place in the newly-remodeled Visitor's Center at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Zoo in St. Paul.

"We used to be in the Sunken Garden, which got really crowded," Giga said. "Now we'll be in the new part of the Conservatory."

And while weather hasn't been an issue in the past, the event will still take place if showers appear, Giga said.

"The music is outdoors, but the carousel is covered, as is the silent auction," she said. "Knock on wood, we've never had rain."

Click here to Learn more about Karen

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The Rein in Sarcoma Logo, created by Susan Vanderlinden for RIS 2003, represents both a classic carrousel horse and the sunflower that when used with the golden ribbon is the symbol for finding a cure for Sarcoma Cancer.

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Last Updated: July 25, 2005