UCAN Sarah Jarboe White Walk is April 30

Preparations are underway for the 11th annual UCAN Sarah Jarboe White Walk to be held Saturday, April 30.

The walk is one of UCAN’s major fundraisers. The theme this year is Matthew 11:29, which is “Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”

UCAN relies on donations, executive director Melody Chailland said. The past couple of years have been hard on everyone, especially not-for-profit organizations.

The event is named for White, who was a daughter, sister, wife, mother and teacher who battled cancer with courage and grace before her death in January 2012. The walk honors and remembers her and many other cancer patients.

“More than $300,000 has been cleared from the walk throughout the past decade,” Chailland said. “You know, our numbers were down last year, but the numbers have been down because we pushed for anybody with compromised immune systems not to participate. I don’t think anybody’s going to stay home this year.”

Families, friends, businesses and organizations are welcome to form teams and begin raising money. People who have not formed teams before may contact Chailland for help.

“They can call and we can drop off their shirts and/or information they need to form a team,” said.

The cost of the T-shirts ranges from $15-$20 with the 2x and 3x shirts costing a little more.

“The shirts are selling well and we’re selling them as fast as we can make them,” Chailland said.

Anyone who wants to organize a team or purchase a T-shirt may email or call UCAN.

Chailland stressed, “it’s never too late to help us in our fight” by forming a fundraising team.

Funds from the walk help support cancer patients in Butler, Stoddard, Wayne and Ripley counties.

While all the money used by UCAN is raised locally, there are no sponsorship levels and no fees to walk. The walk is to remember cancer patients and raise awareness and funds to help patients battling cancer.

Team packets still are available by calling the UCAN office at 573-300-7058.

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 say.

The funds help cancer patients with such items as fuel cards, transportation, utilities, groceries, medical expenses, housing, nutritional supplements and other necessities while taking chemotherapy and/or radiation, and are not able to work as a result. UCAN has transported patients 350,000 miles to and from treatment.

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 2620 N Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO., 63901-3396.

Memorial trees seedlings will be handed out for participants to take home and plant in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled cancer.