Country music artist Ryan Hinkle will set the tempo for the sixth annual UCAN Sarah Jarboe White Walk Saturday at the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center, 2620 N. Westwood Blvd. UCAN sponsors the fundraising walk in memory of White, a teacher, mother, wife, daughter and sister, whose courageous battle against cancer inspired not only her family and friends, but the community.
Activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Hinkle, a Doniphan native, singing Brad Paisley's hit "When I Get Where I Am Going" prior to the walk which starts at 10 a.m. Poplar Bluff Mayor Ed DeGaris will present a proclamation and Rev. Greg Gilberto will offer the invocation.
UCAN executive director Melody Melloy said this year UCAN will be giving a traveling trophy to the team bringing in the most money,
Among the many teams vying for the right to keep the trophy are Tiffany Ledbetter and her family and friends, who make up her team and a new group named Team Stateline,
Ledbetter understands first hand why UCAN takes this fight to the streets. She is a cancer survivor. Ledbetter who works at Kraft Miles and Tatum was diagnosed with colon cancer. Last year, she had just finished her chemotherapy before the walk. She explained people are being diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age.
Ledbetter said, "In September 2015, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. At 43 this is not what you are expecting to hear. This year marks my one year anniversary as being a cancer survivor. First, I give God all the honor and glory for His hand of healing and watch care over me as I have gone through this journey. Second, I want to give a big thanks for all the love, support and prayers of my family, friends and church. Finally, I want to say thanks to UCAN for the work they do in supporting those that are going through cancer and remembering the ones that are no longer with us. They were a big support to me. I'm so blessed to be able to participate in the walk Saturday."
While Ledbetter's team doesn't have a special name, they'll be wearing UCAN shirts and royal blue, the color signifying colon cancer. She emphasized, "UCAN does a whole lot and it is for local people."
This will be the first year for Team Stateline to raise funds and to hike in the event, said Jennifer Cooksey of Poplar Bluff.
While battling cancer is a "very personal thing," Cooksey said she, her teammates and the owners of the seven businesses they represent have been touched by cancer. They have had family members, friends and neighbors who have fought cancer.
Cooksey said, when approached about sponsoring the team, the owners of the seven businesses, Jeralynn and Brad Goodman and Morgan Taylor, not only approved, but became involved in helping with fundraising ideas.
The team members work at Stateline Truck Stop, Longhorn Grill and Taylor's Stateline Liquor Store in Neelyville, the Junction, Munch & Punp, 53 Package and Food Rite in Poplar Bluff
"The ideas grew and grew," Cooksey said. "We are very fortunate to help such a great cause as UCAN and we are fortunate to have employers to support us and help us."
Cooksey said, the team's efforts "grew from a little bitty thing to efforts to raise more and more." They sold small placards in honor of cancer patients, sold shirts, which did amazing, and had change jars at each location.
"Honestly, it's not even about the trophy," said Cooksey, explaining when you "see how proud these girls are and the pride they have helping someone who is battling this horrible thing. Representatives from all the stores are walking. We will have at least 20 or more and friends and family who are involved."
Melloy challenges anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of local cancer patients to raise money and walk. Melloy said, "Let's make an impact. No one fights alone."
"UCAN is excited about the power and potential of employees, friends and families joining together to support the communities that UCAN services in Butler, Stoddard, Wayne and Ripley counties," Melloy said.
Anyone or group who would like to learn more about the walk or UCAN may call 573-776-1892 or go to ucan@semo.net.