Remembrance Run

Sept. 28, 2008

Breast cancer is no party, but raising money to help those grappling with the disease is, well … great fun, said Jane Rolf, who organized the Breast Health Fair in the upcoming annual Remembrance Run.
Along with the Breast Health Fair, the October 4 event at features a run or walk (not timed), prizes and lots of pink merchandise. The Traverse City Track Club sponsors the event, with men in spiffy black running tights and tuxes helping out on the course.
Runners can eat all the calories they just burned up with Moomer’s homemade ice cream and Espresso Bay coffee drinks
The fair’s exhibits focus on breast cancer, healthy diets and stroke prevention. Health care professionals are on hand to answer questions.
All money raised, after expenses, goes to the Women’s Cancer Fund at Munson Medical Center to help financially tapped out women pay their bills in their fight to survive breast cancer.
“In the last two weeks, I’ve sent close to $6,000 to help with mortgages, buying wigs, assisting with gas cards,” Rolf said. “I paid someone’s electric bill, another’s phone bill, and child care for one woman during the day while she’s in care.”
More than 550 local women have benefited from nearly $350,000 in assistance from the fund. Rolf also runs a program to provide under-insured or no-insured women with free mammograms (who don’t qualify for the county program). For more information, call 935-2185.
The Breast Health Fair, which runs from 8 to 10 a.m. at Timber Ridge Resort, will feature door prizes. Random prizes for the run participants will be given away following the event at 11:15 a.m. Participants must be present to win.
Both the 5K and 1 Mile events begin at 10 a.m. The Traverse City Track Club store will have memorabilia from the Remembrance Run including backpacks, hats, scarves, bags, and other items for sale with all proceeds going to the Women’s Cancer Fund.
Participants are encouraged to raise additional funds through pledges. Grand prize for the top fund-raiser is a one-night stay at Great Wolf Lodge or Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Pre-registration for the event is $20 before Sept. 27. Late registration or registration at the event is $25. Commemorative Kathy Lyons print T-shirts are included in the registration fee and are guaranteed to the first 250 who pre-register. If you’re interested in camping, go online to timberridgeresort.net.

Timber Ridge Resort is located at 4050 Hammond Road just east of 6 Mile Road in Traverse City. To register go online to tctrackclub.com.