UCAN holds annual walk Saturday

The annual Sarah White Walk will begin Saturday outside of the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center.

The United Cancer Assistance Network’s 5K walk is held in memory or honor of cancer patients and to raise awareness and funds to help patients battling cancer, said Executive Director Melody Chailland.

“I have several who did the walk with their parents or their sisters, who have passed away,” she said. “They’ve done it with that loved one. They want to keep doing it in honor of them. It’s a memory walk or race, and if they feel like that is too long of a walk, they can come back any time.”

The cancer center is located at 2620 N. Westwood Blvd. Participants are asked to show up no later than 9:30 a.m. and they may walk or run whatever distance they want “when we hit the streets at 10 a.m.,” said Chailland.

This year’s shirts say, “Fear not, for I am with you,” from Isaiah 43:5, along with the names of some who have battled cancer, said Chailland.

The event began in 2012 in honor of White, as well as many other cancer patients, who battled cancer with courage and grace.

Hydration stations will be located along the route and Butler County EMS will be on the scene.

T-shirts may be purchased at the UCAN office.

While supplies last, redbud, dogwood and white pine trees will be given away at the end of the walk for participants to plant in memory or in honor of a cancer patient.

While participating in the walk is free, it is one of the biggest fundraising events of the organization, Chailland noted. Teams often form and raise funds to donate to those served by UCAN.

UCAN serves cancer patients in Butler, Stoddard, Wayne and Ripley counties, she said.

All the money used by UCAN is raised locally and, according to Chailland, the group receives community grants but no government grant funding. The funds assist local cancer patients financially in the form of fuel cards, nutrition, utilities, wigs or transportation.

While UCAN fills a financial gap, the program is designed to provide individualized support for patients. When patients come into the UCAN office, they are greeted by volunteers whose lives have been touched by cancer. Often developing personal relationships, volunteers and patients uplift each other during visits, members have said.

Any person or business who would like to participate may call 573-776-1892. Shirts are also available through this number at $15 for sizes small to XL and $20 for 2X to 4X.

Since UCAN is a 501(c)3 organization, donations are tax-deductible. Anyone wanting to make donations or memorials may mail or drop them by the office at 1899 N Westwood Blvd., Suite C, PMB 172, Poplar Bluff, MO., 63901-339.