Community Corner

Fundraiser Set for Edgewood Native Phil Conrad

Conrad, who lives in San Diego, is amazed by the outpouring of support from his old Edgewood High School friends as he fights cancer.

Phillip Conrad’s last year has involved a harrowing struggle with cancer that has only been matched by the compassionate love and support of family, friends, and his roots in Edgewood.

Now a resident of San Diego, California, Conrad, 49, who has a wife and two children, is realizing the importance of the bonds people make in high school—no matter what happens after moving on.

“I haven’t talked to a lot of these people in a long time,” he said of his support system. “I have lived far way for a long time. Some of these people from camp and high school…I think people forget how much those relationships are a part of the fabric of your life forever.”

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Conrad graduated from the old Edgewood High School. Today, one of his old friends, Kathi McShane of Edgewood, is organizing a silent auction and fundraiser at the Edgewood Club July 16 from 7 to 10 pm. Tickets for the auction are $10. Music and refreshments also will be at the , which donated its space for the event.

“Those people became a life raft,” Conrad said. “There is no other way to put it. It’s really humbling and it’s a blessing and I am blown away by what Kathi is doing.”

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McShane said she couldn’t believe it when she heard the news that an old friend was now in a battle with cancer.

“I was flooded with emotions from 30 some years ago and with memories as vivid as the present,” McShane said. “Scenes of us swimming on the Edgewood Club Swim Team; playing baseball and tag on the field behind the school; Phil and Jeff and I skateboarding; a group of us hanging out together and laughing after school; memories upon memories upon memories—emotions upon emotions.”

Conrad, who grew up at 317 Chestnut, said McShane has helped his family across the country in a variety of different ways already.

“She has been especially good at trying to help us with finances which has been a challenge and it’s been so helpful,” he said.

Conrad was diagnosed with cancer last summer.

“I started feeling bad with really obscure stuff,” he said. “I was a big runner and realized I didn’t have the wind strength I did. In my 40s, I ran my best and all of a sudden I felt the wind taken out of my sails.”

In August 2010, large lymph nodes showed up in his neck.

“I knew when I saw that, it wasn’t the best sign in the world,” Conrad said. “It’s been a hell of a year.”

Conrad said God’s love and the support of friends and family all over the place have helped him to deal with rough chemotherapy treatments and the many obstacles he has faced in the last year.

“I don’t think you realize when relationships end, you forget the good times and all the connections you made,” he said. “My opinion is God works through people. I know He works through people and I have seen hundreds of people always emailing, always staying in touch, and always present.”

Every day when he wakes up, Conrad finds several messages, emails and words of comfort from the people he loves.

“ I have come to realize, whether I go back to work or being a runner, none of that matters as much as your relationships and love and all those connections you make,” he said.

To Kathi and all of his old friends lending prayers, support and more from Edgewood, Conrad said it’s hard to describe his emotions with words.

“God bless you all,” he said. “You want to get on your knees and thank them. You literally want to fall to your knees. It’s the selflessness of it. The world is so much selfishness, but there is a huge amount of selflessness in the world and I have seen it. It’s the best kind of love.”

To donate an auction item or to get more information, contact Kathi Taymans McShane at mcshanes@gmail.com.  


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