Skate With Bob benefits Cancer Action

Doctors diagnosed Becky Klem with pancreatic cancer in early August 1999. Three months later she died.

“We were divorced and I was living in Florida when she called me with the news,” Bob Klem said. He returned to this area to be with Becky and their two daughters, Rachel, 12, and Sarah, 8.

“We knew we were going to lose Mom; we knew it was going to be sad,” he said. “We also knew she would be proud of us and that we would make a way to get through it.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the country and November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of Becky and as a way to fund pancreatic cancer research, Klem two years ago began the Skate With Bob benefit with proceeds going to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The first event raised $2,200. Last year’s raised $6,700. This year’s event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Line Creek Community Center in Kansas City, Mo.

“We got 34 players last year playing a (hockey) game,” Klem said. “So far, we’ve already raised $3,300 for this year. We had a great turnout last year and actually we’re talking about a four-team tournament next year.”

Klem, who is now re-married and lives in Mission, is a goalie for two local hockey teams. Becky was born and raised in Mission and attended school at Bishop Miege. When she contracted the cancer, Klem said the illness brought the family together.

“It tightened us,” he said. “One of Becky’s biggest things was that she was afraid I would let the girls forget her. By skating, we help keep her memory alive and honor her.

“Before (my daughters) moved out of the house and on their own, we were always joking around and saying ‘What would mom do.’ Several of their friends got bracelets that say WWBD for What Would Becky Do.

“She’s an influence in our lives to this day; it drew us closer together.”

The Skate With Bob event is open to the public.

“Right now we don’t have any sponsors and all the administrative costs come out of my pocket, and gladly,” Klem said. “Everything that’s donated goes to the Pancreatic Action Network.

“Our goal is that one of our dollars is going to be the dollar that helps turn the corner. To us, that’s the best way we can honor Mom’s life.”

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