Community is putting on a fundraiser for former
coach Watkins
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
You see, I have dealt with a considerable amount of
physical pain over the last 9 months, but I feel I was well
prepared for that due to my experiences participating in
the toughest, most grueling sport known to mankind. I was
physically prepared for it and suffered with dignity.
-- Richard Watkins
As a cross country and track coach, Richard Watkins put
his athletes first.
As a father and husband, his family.
Now, in the greatest fight of his life, against the terminal
cancer multiple myeloma, the Santa Barbara running community
wants to put him first.
A race to benefit Coach Watkins
and his family -- wife Shannon and children Cooper and Mackenzie
-- will be held Jan. 22 at Goleta Beach Park. There will
be a 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run. The event is called "Run
for Rich, Run for Life."
Organizers are trying to raise as much money as possible
for the family, who have been dealing with Rich's diagnosis
for nearly two years. There is no cure for multiple myeloma,
which attacks the plasma cells and has left holes in Watkins'
bones.
Life expectancy for those with the disease is three to
six years.
Watkins was head track and cross country coach at San
Marcos High, where he taught science.
A runner and triathlete himself, he grew up in San Diego
and coached at Santa Barbara High before coming to Goleta.
Those who know him describe Watkins as patient, calm,
and concerned about others -- a motivator who went out of
his way to help his athletes feel good about themselves
and their performances.
"He has this calming way about him that makes you feel
good when he talks to you," said family friend Marilyn Hantgin,
also an assistant track coach at San Marcos.
Despite his illness, Watkins hasn't lost that ability
to have a calming effect.
In a blatantly honest weblog about his treatment, he and
wife Shannon, a nurse, divulge the harsh realities of stem
cell transplants and other procedures.
He is currently recovering from his second stem cell transplant,
performed in December at the City of Hope in Los Angeles.
Since his diagnosis, the family has received an outpouring
of support from the community. San Marcos teachers donated
months worth of sick time to cover his leave.
Students and parents contributed to a food drive for six
months. Christmas presents for Cooper, 6, and Mackenzie,
8, were also donated.
Hantgin said that many of those close to Watkins feel
they are simply giving back after he made contributions
to their lives.
"He is one of the most generous people you ever would
meet in terms of giving his time. If you need him for anything,
he's the first one there," she said.
Watkins started writing letters to his friends and family
even before the multiple myeloma diagnosis.
Always very honest about how he was feeling, he put the
difficult decisions and medical risks right out in the open.
"It's been tough to stay positive the last couple of days
when all I have been hearing are the negative aspects of
this disease and what to expect while going through these
treatments," he wrote in his second letter.
"But I've
got a lot of wonderful people caring for me and I appreciate
all of the support I have received from my family at San
Marcos."
The Watkins' are also very involved in their church, Free
Methodist on the Mesa.
During the fall cross country season, he was able to make
it to some of the Royals' cross country meets, where he
took pictures, visited with friends and cheered for the
athletes.
Hantgin said that the e-mails and other messages of support
have been greatly appreciated by the Watkins family.
The hope is that at least 500 people will participate
in the January 22 event. Those who can't attend can contribute
at Run for Life, 2747 Glendessary Lane, Santa Barbara, 93105.
"We are overwhelmed by the responses that Run For Life
has made and so very much appreciate it," Shannon Watkins
wrote.
"I know Rich is embarrassed, if that's the right
word, but I keep telling him that people just want to show
him how much they care and how he has touched their lives."
