The Battle off the Track: How Cancer Has Affected Our Racing Families Volume 5HAVERHILL, MA – In racing, support is influential to the success of any team.  What happens when your biggest support is no longer there?  For Melinda McCarthy, the answer is to keep pushing through.  Wanda McCarthy was being treated for breast cancer at a clinic associated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, but succumbed to the disease in September of 2014.  For Melinda, and her siblings, it was a devastating loss.  Melinda explains, “Life has totally changed for me.  Nothing is the same, holidays, birthdays, everything [has changed].  I look at my life totally different since losing her.” Melinda, who races in the Roadrunner division at Star Speedway, had to keep moving forward.  “My mother was the backbone behind my brother and I’s racing.  She was my biggest supporter.  She told me when I did wrong, and when I did great.”  In a world dominated by males, McCarthy enjoyed her best season to date, finishing second in the overall standings in her division.  “This past season, the first one without her, I went out there and did the best I could week after week and I raced the way I knew she would be proud of,” continued McCarthy.  “I raced this season just for her. She may not have seen in person how I did, but I know she is happy with the way my season went, and I have no regrets about it.” In January, McCarthy will partake in the inaugural Karting to Conquer Cancer go kart event, at On Track Karting in Wallingford, CT, to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.  Referring to the chance to give back to the organization that helped her family through tough times, McCarthy responded, “It would mean a lot to me.  I always try to help the best I can with donating back to the cancer institutes that worked with my mother.” McCarthy will join up to 144 drivers at the event, but the race will mean more than just rubbing fenders with drivers from throughout New England.  McCarthy continues, “I think it will be successful, as long as the people involved know that you are doing this for a cause.  It is for fun, but you’re also doing it to help others.  It’s nice to try and give back, and, hopefully, save someone’s life in the long run.”  After McCarthy’s experience with her mother’s battle, she knows life will never be the same.  When asked what advice she would give to someone in her position, McCarthy responded, “My advice would be to lean on your family and friends, don’t feel like you have to bottle any emotions up.  Live your life the way you want to, you only have one chance at it.  Do it your way.” Melinda McCarthy’s story is one of many stories Outside the Box Promotions will highlight, in preparation for the Karting to Conquer Cancer benefit go-kart event, being held at On Track Karting, in Wallingford, CT, January 16, 2016.  Do you have a story you’d like to share?  Contact Shawn Sicard, Director of Communications for Outside the Box Promotions, via email, shawn@otbpromos.net. PHOTO CREDIT:  Rich Hayes Sources: Shawn Sicard/OTB Promotions, Inc.