Bonner General is helping 'Celebrate Life'

We all know and love someone who has fought, died, or recovered from cancer. For Julie Walkington, her sister’s eight-year battle with breast cancer was the inspiration for Celebrate Life, a fun run/walk that has been a Sandpoint community event every summer for the past five years.

Julie’s only sister, Jenny Meyer, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer at the age of 26. Although Jenny lost her battle with cancer last year, she courageously fought this disease daily.

Inspired by her sister’s fight against cancer and the many courageous patients she encounters in her career as a nurse, Julie envisioned making a difference. Together, Julie and her friend, January Tunistra, both registered nurses at Bonner General Hospital, established the Celebrate Life fun run/walk to make that vision a reality.

Julie’s vision has remained the same throughout the past five years: to offer assistance and enhance the lives of our family, friends, and neighbors affected by cancer in the Sandpoint community.

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk. A fun event for the whole family, Celebrate Life is an opportunity for people of all age groups and fitness levels to make a difference in the lives of those touched by cancer.

The money raised by Celebrate Life is given directly to those in the Sandpoint community battling cancer. All monies raised at this year’s event will be distributed to local cancer patients through Bonner General Hospital’s Outpatient Clinic and Hospice departments, as well as to Kootenai Cancer Center at BGH.

This year’s 6th annual Celebrate Life will begin on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at Dog Beach (at the north end of the Long Bridge). The route will extend south toward Sagle to the opposite end of the Long Bridge and back. Registration forms are available at the BGH switchboard or Meyer’s Sport Tees.

Registration fees are $25 for adults and $20 for juniors. New this year is the “Celebrate Sleep” category for those who can’t make it to the event or who just don’t want to get up that early. Simply make a $20 donation, receive a unique Celebrate Life product and sleep in.

Make plans now to join your friends and neighbors to Celebrate Life! 

n Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.