Summer events helping local people with cancer

Almost all of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer.There are several people in my family and immediate circle of friends who have fought this disease. Many have won; a few have lost.This summer, Sandpoint has again outdone itself with events helping local people with cancer. In June, Relay for Life raised a record amount of money for American Cancer Society. Then, on July 15, Sandpoint's first annual Jacey's Race 5K raised funds and much-needed support for local children with cancer or other life-threatening disease.Now August heats up with two more events geared toward helping local cancer patients. They are Dover Bay Weekend Sports Festival on Aug. 4-5 and Celebrate Life on Aug. 11. Both are uniquely Sandpoint, organized and made into reality through the passion and volunteer spirit of the people who live here. Dover Bay Weekend Sports Festival is a new event, which incorporates the popular Long Bridge Swim with triathalon events and a 5K/10K run/walk. Funds raised directly benefit patients through Community Cancer Services, the organization started by Heather Gibson, a dedicated local resident and patient advocate who passed last August from cancer. Community Cancer Services is a non-profit based in Sandpoint that provides programs to help with food and gas vouchers during treatment, and information and resources to cancer patients and families. The festival at the new Dover Bay development north of Sandpoint includes events for kids, hard-core athletes and everyone in between. People can get involved as an athlete, volunteer, or spectator. For more information, log onto www.racecenter.com/doverbay. If interested in learning more about Community Cancer Services, call 255-2301. The Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk honors those who have battled cancer and their friends and family.Last year's walk was an inspiration, proving the event worthy of its name. Hundreds from our community gathered to walk the Long Bridge for a common cause. The funds raised are distributed by nurses at Bonner General Hospital and Bonner Community Hospice who work with local cancer patients. They might use the money to help someone who needs fuel to get to and from treatments or purchase an uplifting bouquet of flowers for a patient. The nurses at BGH and Hospice appreciate the ability to help patients. Shelly Penland, a registered nurse from Hospice, looks forward to helping patients in a personal, caring way by noticing when a little gesture might go a long way and using the funds to make it happen. January DuMars, a nurse from BGH's same-day surgery clinic and one of Celebrate Life's founders, also has distributed some of the funds."It means a lot to be able to help our patients in a more personal way — both for them and for us," said DuMars. Walking in this low-key, non-competitive event captures the Sandpoint community. It truly does encourage participants to get out there and Celebrate Life by helping each other and making each day count.Thank you to the Celebrate Life Committee and volunteers, and nurses of BGH and Hospice for making this event successful each year.To participate in Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk, come to Dog Beach at the north end of Sandpoint's Long Bridge at 8 a.m. Aug. 11 for registration. The walk starts at 9 and costs $25 for adults and $15 for youngsters between 6 and 16.