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01/23/2012 11:00 PMAs some very good friends have said, a Guilford native who once focused on saving others' lives must now concentrate on saving his own.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, Carl Hubbard, a Guilford volunteer firefighter and first lieutenant of Eagle Hose Company, will be the focus of Laps for Love, a community fundraising walk. All money raised from Laps for Love will assist Hubbard and his family as he undergoes urgent and intensive treatment for advanced-stage cancer.
Hubbard was diagnosed on Dec. 19, 2011 after he sought medical care for what he thought was bronchitis, said his wife, Stacey Hubbard. He's been in treatment and away from home for the past five weeks. He is expected to come home this week, when the family will help him celebrate Christmas, which had to be put on hold.
"He's very positive. He's on his second round of chemo as we speak and we're hoping to have him home this week," said Stacey Hubbard, speaking to the Courier on Jan. 23
Both husband and wife grew up in Guilford and are now raising their nine year-old son here. They have many friends in this community and a good number are planning to support Laps for Love, organized by Christi Burton and Cindy Metrose. One hundred percent of all donations raised during Laps for Love will be given to the Hubbard family for its daily needs, said Burton.
Laps for Love participants are asked to don their walking shoes and head to the Guilford High School track on Sunday, Feb. 12, anytime from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pledge to participate is $5 per lap, and even those who can only stop by for 10 minutes or take one lap will help the cause, said Burton.
Stacey Hubbard works at Community Nursery School (CNS), where her son met Burton's sons; Hubbard and Burton also became friends. Between her CNS friends and co-workers, her husband's Guilford Volunteer Fire Department family, and the many friends and family the Hubbards have in this area, the outpouring of community support received in the weeks since her husband's December diagnosis has been "overwhelming," said Stacey Hubbard.
"Being involved in the fire department is like being a family…They've been helping so much. Everyone from Community Nursery School is backing us, too," Hubbard said.
She added her husband's touched to know friends are planning Laps for Love to support the Hubbard family.
"It's been overwhelming, the support we're receiving. It's great to be a part of this community," she said.
Laps for Love is on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Guilford High School track, 605 New England Road (rain date Feb. 19). Walk, run, skip, or hop around the track and enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, snacks, and music. All donations welcome (the suggested donation is $5 per lap); 100 percent of all donations will be given to the Hubbard family for everyday needs. For more information, email chburton@sbcglobla.net. Can't attend? Donations by check are welcome, payable to the Carl Hubbard Family Benefit Fund, c/o Guilford Fire Headquarters attn. Nancy Matthewson, 309 Church St., Guilford CT 06437.