Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Elaine Rackley Betty Murphy, 88, talked baseball with former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine at the second annual “Crusin’ for a CURE” fundraiser Saturday. The event featured a car show, inflatables, and Glavine signing autographs.

STOCKBRIDGE — “Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Steve Avery ... they couldn’t be beat back in 1991,” said Betty Murphy, 88, as she waited to have her baseball signed by Glavine.

Murphy joined more than 1,500 people at the second annual “Crusin for a CURE” fundraiser. The fundraiser was held Saturday in the parking lot of Incredible Southern Poundcakes, located at 1490 Hudson Bridge Road in Stockbridge.

“I am doing this to raise money and bring awareness to kids with cancer,” said Kathy Shepherd, the owner of Incredible Southern Poundcakes. Shepherd and her husband, Tim were sponsors for the event. “You always hear about breast and prostate cancer, but our kids suffering with cancer seem to have been forgotten about. But God makes a way for us to help others.”

The goal this year was to raise $10,000, said Shepherd. All of the proceeds from the event were donated to the Cure Childhood Cancer organization.

Kistin Connor is the Executive Director of CURE Childhood Cancer. Connor said CURE Childhood Cancer is the oldest childhood cancer organization in Georgia.

“Our mission is to fund research to find a cure for cancer which affects kids,” said Connor. “We also support patients going through cancer treatment and their families.”

As people roamed the taped-off parking lot, some would watch children play inside inflatables. Others watched as “The Balloon Man,” also known as Scott Netherton created animals out of balloons for children.

One of the highlights of “Crusin for a CURE” fundraiser was a meet and greet with Glavine, the former Braves pitcher whose Cy Young Award-winning season helped the Braves win their division in 1991.

Most people stood in a serpentine line inside Incredible Southern Poundcakes, to see Glavine. The former Braves pitcher signed autographs and took photographs for the fundraiser.

Glavine is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and was an All-Star 10 times. He won the World Series MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award in 1995. He was a five-time National League leader in wins in 1991–93, 1998 and in 2000. Glavine was also the four-time Silver Slugger winner in 1991, 1995–96, and 1998.

“My wife, Chris and I were introduced to the world of childhood cancer when my son, Jonathan’s classmate, Will Henessey, was diagnosed with cancer, in the fourth grade,” said Glavine. “We got involved and realized how little was being done and my wife decided to do something. My wife has held a Quiet Heroes Luncheon for 11 years to honor the parents of childhood cancer patients.”

Branden Murray, 12, is in remission. He was diagnosed with Germinoma, brain tumor cancer, four years ago.

“He was 8 years old when he was diagnosed,” said Miles Murray, his father.

Another highlight of the childhood cancer fundraiser was a car show, which featured classic and rare automobiles.

McDonough resident Ronnie Puckett entered his 1931 “Model A” Ford Town sedan in the car show. He and his friend, John “Jr.” Bartlett, discussed the history of the car.

“Henry Ford was visiting Europe while he was gone his son Edsel built the car for ladies,” said Puckett. “When he came back home he fired Edsel. But the Ford “Model A” sedan has been the most dependable car in the United States.”

For more information or to make a donation to CURE Childhood Cancer, call 1 (800) 443-2873 or visit curechildhoodcancer.org.