By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Leisure Shores in Crestline was the starting location for the fifth annual breast cancer “Walk in the Mountains” sponsored by Soroptimists International of Rim of the World to raise fund to provide mammograms for those in need on the mountain.
All the proceeds go toward early detection mammograms at Mountains Community Hospital.
The walk on Saturday, Oct. 3 began at Leisure Shores with some walkers taking the 5K (2.6 mile) shoreline around Lake Gregory while others chose to walk the meadow for a one-mile distance. The activities began at 9 a.m. with yoga instructor Polly Sauer leading some warm-up stretches. Some announcements about cancer and the day’s events were made from the stage that had been used all summer for the Friday night Market Nights.
Lori Wickes in her Dolly Parton wig and balloons.
Some just walked for support, others in honor of a family member or friend who had suffered through breast cancer. Some walked to show they had fought and won.
The point was made the men also get breast cancer. The late Bob Kinzel was a long-time advocate for men being aware they can get breast cancer after he discovered he had it. He became a spokesman throughout Southern California on the topic, after he was treated for it. Almost everyone in some way is impacted by breast cancer by knowing someone (mother, friend, acquaintance) and this event brought the community together to do something to help.
Many other fun activities also occurred. They held a silent auction of baskets donated by over 20 businesses and nonprofits which raised additional funds for the Mammo-grant project.
The Soroptimists have continued the bra decorating contest which they began over a decade ago at the Blue Jay quilt walk. Each year the bras are more imaginative and creative. They even had a display along the walkway up to Leisure Shores of previous years’ entries. The Labadie family submitted several bras to the contest, all very imaginative. The Breast of Show winner was announced as Lori Wickes with her Dolly Parton outfit and bra creation.
The Soroptimist Mammo-grant program has for over 20 years partnered with Mountains Community Hospital to offer applicants a free diagnostic mammogram in the month of October, in honor of breast cancer awareness month. To apply see their website, www.sirow.org.
This light-hearted fundraiser about a serious topic is one that deserves attention, and the Soroptimists did it with class, dignity and love, while having fun.
The walkers raised $10,000 during this fundraiser. If you would still like to support this vital fundraiser that supports the local residents through the Soroptimist Mammo-grant program at Mountains Community Health, go to: www.sirow.org/breast-cancer-awareness-walk.
Some of the bras competing for Breast of Show.
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