More than four: Local family leads the fight against childhood cancer

Sarah Rigan has been through just about as much as a mother can handle.

Rigan's son Conor, 5, has been battling cancer for most of his life. He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor at just six months old and has since undergone six brain surgeries to treat relapses of the disease.

Rigan, a former teacher at Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools and mother of three, has had to deal with a complex mix of emotions during this grueling odyssey. Perhaps the worst is the constant and all-consuming fear of relapse, something that has weighed heavily on the entire family for far too long.

“Of course we have hope for our son because he has exceeded all expectations so many times and is an outsider, but you just can't shake the fear. You never feel safe from the fear that the cancer will come back and get him,” she says. “Not everyone has a happy ending.”

Then there is the actual, day-to-day work of battling the disease. There is hardly any time for emotions when you are constantly visiting doctors, traveling long distances for special operations or procedures, dealing with the side effects of treatment or planning the next steps. It is a constant battle. One foot in front of the other.

“Fighting cancer is really like a second job, a full-time job,” Rigan says. “It can take up all of your time if you let it, just because there are so many phone calls and emails and so many things to take care of when you're on such a long journey.”

Over time, Sarah and her husband Patrick – a well-known vineyard owner, worker and winemaker from Old Mission – grew to have compassion and empathy for other families fighting this battle. Sarah also discovered that only four percent of federal spending on cancer research goes to pediatric cancer research.

These two points led to the creation of the More than Four Foundation, an organization founded by the Rigans dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. They hope to raise awareness of these funding disparities while raising money directly for childhood cancer research.

“At first you're just trying to survive. But after a while you realize that if you just sit there and wait for change, you can't expect anything,” Rigan says. “And that's where we are now. We felt that this money, even if it only helps (a little), is still better than nothing.”

The More than Four Foundation will host its first 5.04k run/march (the extra 0.04 is to show how little 4 percent really is) in Traverse City on September 21. The untimed race begins at 9 a.m., with the loop starting and ending at the corner of Union and Eighth Streets. All ages are welcome, and strollers or buggies are encouraged.

After the race, there will be a family-friendly after-party at Brady's Bar until 3 p.m. For $15 a plate, you can get a pulled pork sandwich, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

“There is no limit,” says Rigan. “We want as many people to come as possible.”

Rigan hopes this inaugural run/march will be the first of many events hosted by the More than Four Foundation.

“I run, not as a competitive runner, but because it's good for mental and emotional health – it's a good outlet,” she says. “So I would love for this to happen every year. And we have lots of ideas for different events in the future to raise more money and awareness.”

Sarah and Patrick are already infinitely grateful to the community for their support so far.

“We have received so much support through prayers, financial help, meals (and transportation), basically people have helped us in any way they can,” Sarah said. “Everyone is always willing to help us when we need it.”

Click here for more information about the More than Four Foundation and the upcoming event.