By Desiree Williams
St. Vincent will host the eighth annual cancer run/walk challenge at 8 a.m. Sept. 16 at Lions Park to benefit St. Vincent’s cancer care programs and services such as art therapy and the mobile mammography unit for women.
“A lot of run events are more about people getting out there and they want to just run. This event is more about why you’re there and your connection to somebody who is suffering from cancer or who has passed,” said Jeff Graves, founder and president of Vision Event Management, the promoter of the cancer challenge.
Graves began collaborating with St. Vincent three years ago when the company reached out for help in organizing the challenge. He said it’s been a great partnership.
“There’s not a single person that doesn’t know somebody that’s been affected by cancer and the number of people, unfortunately, that we all know is growing,” he said. “So, these (events) are so important to help with that and really, really touch people’s hearts.”
The cancer challenge offers two distances to choose from this year, both of which will be timed. Tickets are $40 for the three-mile option and $55 for the six-mile option. Those interested can sign up individually or join a team.
Participants can go to the St. Vincent House in Indianapolis, 2301 Dugan Drive, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 15 for packet pick-up. Pearson Automotive will be present to donate $20 for every short test drive. Graves said everyone is welcome to take part in the test drives to help fundraise, even if they are not participating in the run/walk challenge.
“The more people, the more money, the more positive things the St. Vincent Cancer Challenge can do,” he said.
The fundraising goal for this year is $200,000.
St. Vincent Cancer Run/Walk
When: 8 a.m. Sept. 16
Where: Lions Park, 115 S. Elm Street, Zionsville
Cost: $40 for the three mile option, $55 for six miles
More info: StVincentCancerChallenge.org
