Community ‘chalks the walk’ for brain cancer research

Chalk artwork nearly filled the entire Blue Point Preserve last weekend for the 10th annual “Chalk the Walk” event hosted by William’s Warriors.

The event hosted on Oct. 3 honored William Schultz, who died of brain cancer in 2017 at 7 years old, and would have started his senior year at Bayport-Blue Point High School this year.

“This is a wonderful way to remember him, to celebrate his life in the world while helping other children,” said Margaret Schultz, mother of William Schultz.

Many of Schultz’s friends, family, and teachers attended the event, which was the largest William’s Warriors has hosted, according to organizers.

“The community always comes out, but it seems extra big this year,” said Jim Schultz, William Schultz’s father.

Attendees could purchase a four-by-four-foot area for $25 to create their chalk artwork along the pathways around the Blue Point Preserve, while listening to a DJ and purchasing raffle tickets for one of dozens of baskets. Throughout the event, the line to purchase raffle tickets wrapped around the large tent where baskets stood.

The money raised will help support research for childhood brain cancer treatments, which according to Margaret Schultz, are underfunded and outdated, with her son receiving over 30-year-old medication during his battle.

“When you’re fighting for your life, you want the best you can possibly get,” said Margaret Schultz.

William’s Warriors also raises money to support recreational activities like arts supplies for children in hospitals like NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

Laura Pantusco, a certified child-life specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, has attended the Chalk the Walk event for around six years, and said the work the Schultz family and William’s Warriors do to support their patients goes above and beyond. Among their accomplishments, Pantusco credits Margaret Schultz for helping bring more art supplies for specialists and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a feel-good artistic expression,” said Pantusco, who was covered in chalk while creating a Stony Brook Children’s Hospital design.

Other community members, both friends and strangers to the Schultz family and William’s Warriors, sat down along the Blue Point Preserve’s winding pathways to create artwork, including animals like turtles, William Schultz’s favorite.

A bronze turtle statue on the preserve’s western lawn is dedicated to Williams Schultz, and wears dozens of medals from running competitions, each placed by runners still anonymous to the Schultz family.

“Traditionally, the story is that the turtle is not winning the race. And then these runners are giving their trophies to this turtle, which is so sweet,” said Margaret Schultz. “We’re blessed to be in such a wonderful community that is so loving and supportive.”

To learn more about William’s Warriors and how to support their cause, visit williamswarriors.org.