A walk to raise cancer awareness is being planned and its organizer is hoping to set a record.
Bill Hopkins, who celebrated 10 years cancer-free this spring, said he wanted to help organize an event which would raise cancer awareness.
While Powell River has its annual Terry Fox Run in September, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walk has not happened for the past few years, said Hopkins.
Last spring he had the idea to start a new walk, called the Sunset Stroll for Cancer, so he started to tell people about his idea.
The stroll will happen from 5 to 9 pm on Saturday, August 9, at Timberlane track.
The event is a rather laid-back affair that does not require participants to join teams, walk for extended periods of time or make minimum donations.
“For me it’s more of the awareness part,” he said. “Whatever money raised is secondary, but having said that, all the money is staying here in Powell River.”
Walkers are encouraged to collect pledges from the community.
Funds raised by the walk will go toward the purchase of comfort items, like wigs, handmade blankets, hats, slippers and other items for oncology patients receiving treatment at Powell River General Hospital.
The event has already received significant support. In the spring two women donated $4,000 to the event after selling daffodils and handmade bracelets. Powell River Kings’ team mascot, Rocco, has raised an undisclosed amount of money for the stroll during his walk around town in June and Parkland slo-pitch team has chosen the stroll as the recipient of money raised from their annual Richard Stroomer Memorial Slo-pitch Tournament. Each year the team raises money through the tournament and donates it to fight cancer.
“It blew me away that they thought about me,” said Hopkins.
Key to the event is the setting sun that evening and Hopkins is encouraging participants to bring their cameras and try to set a record for the number of photographers in one area taking a picture of a sunset.
“It would be pretty cool to have hundreds of photographers there taking pictures,” he said.
Sunset is at 8:46 pm that night, he said.
Boards for participants to write messages to or about family and friends who have battled the disease will also be available at the stroll and Hopkins said he plans to create community displays with them after the event.
Pledge forms are available at Crystal Clear Engraving, Julie’s Airport Cafe, Jumpin Jodphurs and by calling Hopkins at 604.414.0857 or 604.223.2225.
