Lutheran Medical Center is hosting its 9th Leaves of Hope Race and Cancer Survivors Celebration with a timed 5k and 10k race, survivor walk and activities for the whole family on Sunday, June 5. As Jefferson County's largest National Cancer Survivor's Day, there will also be a community brunch, a health and safety fair and live music entertainment.
The event runs from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
"It's really a great opportunity for people to get together with other survivors and celebrate their survivorship," said Melissa K. Edwards, a development assistant at Lutheran Medical Center, "and also honor those we've lost through their battles."
The event also is inspirational, said Carol Salzmann, executive director of Lutheran Medical Center Foundation.
"Part of what really inspires me is I think it's great for people that are newly diagnosed to see people that have survivorship of five to 20 years that are living wonderful lives," she said.
Susan Hermosillo, a four-year skin cancer survivor, has been attending the walk for eight years now. She originally attended because she has lost family members to cancer and looks forward to seeing survivors and learning a little bit about them during registration, where she volunteers.
"You could walk past a survivor on the street and not even know it," she said. "I really look forward to meeting the survivors during registration --; they get to tell you a little bit of their story."
Hermosillo started attending the event shortly after she lost her 27-year old niece to colon cancer. Since then, she was diagnosed with and became a survivor of melanoma. She also has a cousin who is a cancer survivor that will attend the event for the first time this year. Four family members total, including a cousin with five years survivorship from breast cancer, will join her on June 5.
"I'm looking forward to the survivor walk," Hermosillo said. "Just to see the smiles on all the survivors' faces."
This event is dog- and stroller-friendly and has an activity for every speed. In addition to the races and walks, there will be art projects and places to sit and enjoy live entertainment from Colorado-based music group Chris Daniels and the Kings. For details on registration before or the day of event, visit www.leavesofhope.org/
Unique this year will be a sculpture installation, designed and built by Wheat Ridge High School students enrolled in the STEAM class (which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math). Dubbed "Rooted in Hope," the sculpture symboizes hope and healing and is being installed on the medical denter's grounds near the pond.
"To work with (the students) is really special," Edwards said. "Every time I go over to the pond (to see the installation in progress) they have done something new."
Last year's event raised $86,000 and the hospital hopes to beat that number with this year's efforts. These races, which have raised $800,000 total, contribute to the Cancer Centers of Colorado's patient treatment, caregivers, genetic counseling, and to keep technology in the center as up-to-date as possible.
"The first year I attended it was a small event --; it's crazy how its grown," Hermosillo remembered. "If you stand back and watch it, it's just amazing."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Wheat-Ridge-event-taking-steps-against-cancer,214968
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