By Khadean Coombs
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
While many who attended GBMC’s 19th annual Legacy Chase came out to Shawan Downs in Hunt Valley to enjoy tailgating, horse racing and family time, some in the crowd were there for deeper reasons.
Holly Hendricks, a regular Legacy Chase attendee, said she feels a certain connection to the race because her mom works at GBMC and her dad is now being treated there for stage-four Lymphoma.
“My mom works in the oncology fusion center pharmacy, so she is literally in there making chemotherapy for people being treated every day,” Hendricks said. “We love coming out to support GBMC. It’s a wonderful community and environment that brings people from all over Baltimore County and the state to support the cancer program there and we love being part of it.”
Hendricks said her appreciation for the Legacy Chase deepened after her father was diagnosed with cancer.
“A couple months ago my dad was diagnosed with stage-four Lymphoma and he is now being treated there,” Hendricks said. “So, to now have an even deeper personal connection to the mission of GBMC is important to us and we love being involved in supporting that mission.”
Like Hendricks, her husband Adam also shares a personal connection to the hospital.
“My father was also treated at GBMC. He had prostate and skin cancer,” he said. “We just love GBMC and we’re just here to support them.”
Over 7,000 spectators come out to the hospital’s annual fund-raising event that brings awareness about cancer and benefits the oncology services and patient support programs at GBMC.
The event included open picnic space, family-friendly activities, food trucks, stick pony races and eight steeplechase races.
Among the regulars were also the first-time attendees.
Selena Weatherbee, a senior collections specialist at Alban CAT, an equipment rental establishment, attended the event for the first time Saturday after receiving free passes from her company.
“My job sponsors this organization so they gave out passes to about 20 employees who wanted to come out. I just wanted to bring my family so we can get an opportunity to experience it and possibly win some money on the race,” Weatherbee said.
Another first-time attendee, Courtney Cox of Kingsville, compared the Legacy Chase to other horse races held in the Baltimore metro area.
Cox said Legacy Chase is much more relaxed than races such as the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes or the Preakness.