'Celebrate Life' takes steps to help residents fight cancer

The Celebrate Life fun run/walk is all about doing just that — celebrating life through both the good times and the bad, while raising funds and awareness to combat cancer locally. The event takes place on Saturday, Aug. 12, on the Long Bridge in Sandpoint.

Cancer has touched Bonner General Hospital nurse Julie Walkington in many ways. She has known and treated many patients who inspired her to do something to make a difference, but no one more so than her only sister, Jenny.

When Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26, Walkington decided the time had come for her to take a stand against cancer and the Celebrate Life fun run/walk was born. The vision behind Celebrate Life was a collaboration between Walkington and fellow nurse and close friend, January DuMars, with lots of feedback from family, friends and co-workers.

The idea behind the event is simple — to raise funds and awareness for local Sandpoint area residents battling cancer.

Since the event's inception in 2004, Walkington and the Celebrate Life Committee have done just that, raising more than $27,000 in funds used right here in Bonner County, for Bonner County residents.

This year marks the third annual Celebrate Life fun run/ walk and it looks like this year just might be the best yet. Area businesses and individuals are proudly sponsoring the locally-spawned event and participant registration forms are rolling in. However, there is still plenty of time to get in on the action. Celebrate Life is still welcoming sponsors and participants alike.

This year, the Celebrate Life Committee has decided to donate all proceeds for distribution through Bonner General Hospital's outpatient clinic. There, nurses will have the ability to distribute funds in the form of items, vouchers, or financial assistance as deemed appropriate. This means that if a nurse notices that a patient is having a hard day, they can make a difference in that person's life right there and then.

"I'm particularly excited about the way we're distributing the funds this year," Walkington commented. "It makes so much sense for the nurses who have the closest contact with the patients to be able to help them directly."

One of the very best features of this event is its accessibility. Starting at Dog Beach, the participants will travel to the south end of Sandpoint's famous Long Bridge, where they will then turn around and head back to Dog Beach for the finish line. It's not too strenuous, so people of all ages and activity levels can participate. "The event is always so much fun because people can really take it at their own pace," explains Walkington. "Some people prefer to run, while others just enjoy the scenery and a leisurely stroll."

All in all, Celebrate Life is a great opportunity to get out there and do something active while helping local people through the difficulties of living with cancer.

The Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk begins at Dog Beach on Saturday, Aug. 12, with a 9 a.m. start time. Registration forms are available at the Bonner General Hospital switchboard or at Meyer's Sport-Tees.

If you register before Aug. 1, the price for adults is $20 and juniors (ages 6-16) is only $12. After Aug. 1, registration is still reasonable at $25, and the price for juniors goes up to $15. The fee includes an original Celebrate Life T-shirt, designed by DuMars and printed by Meyer's Sport Tees.

For more information, or if you'd like to be a sponsor, please call 263-6790.