Kalispell man to float the Mississippi for cancer research

A Kalispell veteran is floating about half the length of the Mississippi River to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a pediatric center based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bob Sistok, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be joined by three fellow veterans: Kenny Sunell, of Kalispell, who served in the Army, and Jerry Robinson and Mark Johnson, both of Iowa.

The 1,120-mile journey will commence June 28 in Minneapolis.

Choosing to fundraise for St. Jude’s was an easy selection for Sistok, who said cancer has ravaged his family. The hospital with nationwide clinics was founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas to care for children with various health problems, including cancer.

“My dad died of cancer, my mother has Stage 4 lung cancer and my sister lost both breasts because of it,” he said. “I love sending money to St. Jude’s, but we need to be sending them more. People don’t think about it til they have kids with cancer.”

Sistok said the group is looking for local support as they organize and undertake such an immense trip. “We are paying for this out of our own pockets and so far, it’s going to cost more than what they’ve raised, so we’re hoping to see more support from the Flathead Valley,” Sistok said.

Sistok said he and Sunell, who runs the meat department at Walmart in Kalispell, are hauling his 22-foot pontoon boat to Minnesota, where they will join Robinson and Johnson. Johnson is an Army veteran and Robinson, who is battling prostate cancer, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

“Jerry is looking at this trip as possibly being his last hurrah,” Sistok said.

Sunell said he and Sistok have been friends since 1990 when he moved to the area.

“I take time off from work to drive Bob to his VA appointments. I’m just glad what we’re doing is for a good cause,” Sunell said.

Sunell is taking vacation time from work to float the river and Walmart will contribute to the fundraising for the hours he is gone through its Volunteers Always Pay program.

Sistok said he got a $10,000 pledge from Lowe’s Home Improvement, which is based in North Carolina. His goal was to raise $100,000.

He said if people wanted to contribute to the cause, checks can be mailed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. He can be reached at 406-212-0487 and checks can be mailed to 533 Ezy Drive, Kalispell, MT, 59901. The checks should be made out to St. Jude’s.

A Gofundme page is also accepting donations at www.gofundme.com/dav-dude039s-for-st-jude039s.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.