On Sunday, Oct. 2, the students and families of Malvern Preparatory School will gather on campus to participate in the 12th annual Malvern C.A.R.E.S., a five-mile walk through the Borough of Malvern to benefit four organizations that support local families affected by cancer and AIDS.

The annual event, a cornerstone of Malvern’s year-round Christian Service program, begins with an 8:30 a.m. mass, with the walk beginning at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine.  More than 500 participants are expected for the walk, according to Larry Legner, Director of Christian Service and organizer of the walk.  Malvern hopes to exceed the total of $25,500 raised at last year’s walk. In its 11-year history, Malvern C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Cancer & AIDS Reach Everyone Somehow, has raised more than $300,000. This year, Malvern C.A.R.E.S. will benefit four regional non-profit organizations:

The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia (formerly Wellness Community of Philadelphia) serves people with cancer and their loved ones of all ages and ethnicities throughout the five-county area. People with cancer join with others to learn they are not alone, and in doing so, they gain valuable knowledge and coping skills that enable them to find hope and support irrespective of their stage of disease. Free services include support to people with all types of cancer and their families, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle programs, and social activities.

Great Guys Group is dedicated to Bringing Hope Home to local cancer patients and their families in the Greater Philadelphia area. They believe in bringing hope to these families by making sure they are able to stay in their house, with the lights on, heat and air pumped up, and cell phones working to alleviate some of the financial burdens that cancer brings. The group is dedicated to emotionally and financially stabilizing families who are battling cancer by paying for household bills so these families are able to focus on their loved one, rather than the financial stress of this disease.

Evanfest is dedicated to Evan Brady ‘05, a graduate of Malvern Prep who lost his fight with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) on September 21, 2005. Lacrosse was a very large part of Evan's life, and although his diagnosis meant he could no longer play lacrosse again, he seized the moment to become a coach and mentor for his friends and teammates. Malvern Prep and the greater Philadelphia lacrosse communities were huge supporters of Evan, both spiritually and financially, motivating him to fight every day of his life. In honor of Evan's s spirit and will to overcome life's greatest obstacles, Evanfest was created. All proceeds from the annual lacrosse festival benefit families whose child is battling a life threatening illness.

Best Nest promotes the safety, health and well-being of children with special health care needs and their families. While providing foster care, adoption and in-home protective services for medically fragile children, Best Nest educates and empowers caregivers to access necessary resources for themselves and their children. The group serves over 300 children every year and has reached more than 2000 children since opening its doors in 1987.