Celebrate Life keeps it simple, but touches at the core

SANDPOINT — In these times of red tape and rules, Celebrate Life keeps it simple.

That’s the key — helping sick people with no strings attached, surprising them with unexpected gifts.

Celebrate Life reaches out to local cancer patients all year, but the August walk/run across the Long Bridge is the annual event that keeps everything in focus — and, yes, simple.

People who otherwise could never enter a race or a marathon can participate.

“When I first asked my sister Jenny what January and I could do to help people with cancer, she told me ‘Don’t make it a timed event or too structured,’” said Julie Walkington, who with January Tuinstra have directed Celebrate Life for seven years.

“Make it about people celebrating the day, the very people who are enduring treatment or just finishing treatment. If it takes them 4 hours to cross the bridge and back, that’s okay,” Jenny told Julie.

Jenny Meyer passed away from cancer two years ago, but like so many others who have valiantly fought this disease, her words and wisdom live on.

Today Celebrate Life has taken on a life of its own. Monies are raised and donated at the run-walk. This year the event is on Saturday, starting at Dog Beach.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the walk-run for the whole family at 9. Other events during the year offer part of their proceeds to Celebrate Life, too.

“It’s emotional for me, honoring everything and more my sister wished for,” Walkington noted. “The nurses are out there figuring out what people need. Volunteers give of their time and talents. The community is beyond generous.”

Tuinstra said, “It is such a privilege as a nurse to give an unexpected gift to a patient fighting cancer. Those who receive are always thankful and often surprised.

“Others are somewhat confused that resources or pleasures are simply handed to them without request or process. Still others are eager to give back,” Tuinstra continued.

Celebrate Life has expanded its outreach and become a fixture in the Sandpoint Community, Tuinstra noted, “but our approach remains the same. We don’t wait for a request. We don’t require a process. We have the opportunity to aid people who are facing a life crisis and we hope to touch lives when and where it counts.”

Hospice nurse for Bonner General Hospital, Shelly Penland declared, again simply:  “I just love Celebrate Life. It helps those who are sick and need a boost.”

Penland recalled patients she has been able to assist with Celebrate Life funds and services. One was a mother of three young adults in their early 20’s  She wanted a video camera to record special times with her children before she died.

Celebrate Life bought stepping stones for a young mother, so she could make handprints of herself and her 7 and 8-year-old youngsters. For a couple with no insurance, Celebrate Life paid for two months of oxygen, Penland remembered.

One 57-year-old patient needed better tires to drive to and from chemotherapy treatments. When asked what she’d like to make her day a little brighter, another lady answered “a back-scratcher.”

“We used Celebrate Life funds to buy a back-scratcher,” laughed Penland. “This shows that even $2 can be as important as $600 to the right person…”

Penland has orchestrated a birthday party, complements of Celebrate Life, for a 96-year-old man who loved trains. “We gave him a train cake. We do many birthdays and anniversaries.”

Some of the most fun times of her job, Penland noted, is coming up with ideas that Celebrate Life funds. “Sometimes it’s not just needs we meet, but wants and desires, something to make the patients happy, something they can share with their families.”

One young mother wanted to make a scrapbook for her family before she died. But she needed help, because she just did not have the energy or resources to start the project.

All those who give out gifts from Celebrate Life are on staff at Bonner General Hospital or Kootenai Cancer Center.

“I couldn’t fathom not having Celebrate Life,” said social worker Lisa Carothers. “They do so much. The social workers in Coeur d’ Alene are jealous.”

Carothers admitted she uses other cancer service organizations in Sandpoint, too. But, she said, “Our community does not realize how special Celebrate Life is. Most communities do not have anything comparable.”

Some cancer patients need over-the-counter drugs to combat the effects of chemotherapy but do not have the money. Others require prescription medications but have no insurance. Celebrate Life bridges the gap.

Fuel vouchers are given to low-income patients who must travel for 10 or 20 days in a row for radiation treatments. “I watch for what they need — gas, food, or anything at all — and then go Celebrate Life. Julie and January are so caring and respond immediately. They’re extremely available,” notes Carothers.

Even patients from Montana and those living in the mountains have been helped with cell phones and phone cards to stay in touch with loved ones as they battle cancer.

Vouchers and gift certificates are all purchased from local businesses. “We collect from locals, buy from locals, and give back to locals,” said Tuinstra. “It’s uncomplicated and straight-forward.”

Kaitlin Barnhart has been on both sides of Celebrate Life – and she’s extremely grateful.

Barnhart filled a temporary social worker position for a year at Kootenai Cancer Center in Sandpoint. She gave out gift certificates for dining out, for massages, for small amenities not usually afforded by cancer patients.

In 2001, cancer crept into her own family. Her mother was battling breast cancer and her then husband-to-be learned he had brain cancer.

Eric’s cancer is in remission, but last December he was laid off from his electrician’s job. His insurance coverage was thrown into confusion. Eric required expensive hormone therapy which costs $350 a month.

“Eric has to take that medicine continually. While we were dealing with insurance paper work, Celebrate Life stepped in and gave us $1,000,”  Barnhart remembered appreciatively.

“We needed help but didn’t want to ask anyone,” said Barnhart. “When a Celebrate Life person showed up at our door with a check, I thought it was a mistake.”

The Barnharts bought Christmas dinner and put away the for Eric’s expensive medications.

“God always takes care of us like that, and He used Celebrate Life,” social worker Barnhart said. “In my job, I saw Celebrate Life funds meet needs no one else was meeting, and then they met ours.”

Those who would like to pre-register and be assured of a designer T-shirt (different and special every year) may register online at www.bonnergeneral.org or pick up registration forms at BGH, Meyer’s Sports-Tee, or Sandpoint Furniture. Cost is $30 for adults 17 and older and $25 for youth ages 6 to 16.

Last year more than 350 registered. Young children who walked or ran or rode bicycles with their parents, were not counted. Therefore, the numbers swelled and filled the Long Bridge. Dog Beach, the starting point, is located on the north end of the bridge.

Donations may be sent anytime to Celebrate Life, PO Box 420, Ponderay, ID 83852.