Race for Hope a celebration, remembrance
By Michele Linck, Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cancer survivor Steve Martin of Hinton, Iowa, is the ambassador for the June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s Race for Hope this year. The event is an annual run/walk event. Although he doesn’t run, Martin rides a motorcycle. He’s shown here riding in Sioux City on Wednesday. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY -- Steve Martin was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma four years ago this month. It was stage 4, the final stage of the fast, aggressive cancer.
Happily, two-and-a-half years of treatment at June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City has left him cancer-free and asking how he could give back to the center.
And so he is serving as this year's honorary ambassador for the center's 12th annual Race for Hope, a run and walk held to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have not survived and raise money for some of the center's nonmedical needs.
This year's race is Sept. 20 at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in McCook Lake, S.D.
Goal is record 500
Last year, a record 461 people participated, and 300 of them were walkers, according to race director Jean Gill.
This year's goal is 500 participants.
Pat Hubbard, cancer center development director, said that number would mean about $22,000 could be raised. All proceeds go to the cancer center. Sponsors fund the prizes. This year's proceeds are targeted to buy at least four retractable-arm televisions for the eight-chair chemotherapy area.
Any remaining money would go to patient care kits containing items such as aroma therapy, journals to help track and reflect on their cancer therapy, inspirational printed materials and possibly gas cards for those who need help with the expense of getting to treatment.
Check it ASAP
Martin, 55, lives in Hinton, Iowa, with his wife, Jo, and is the longtime owner of Pacific City Graphics in South Sioux City.
The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. Martin said he is trying to get all of them to participate in the race. And he's speaking to civic clubs and encouraging everyone he knows to register for it, too.
"This can be a really great family event," he said. "Everybody has been affected by cancer. If you have a loved one, neighbor or friend who has lost somebody to cancer, this is a way to do something about it.
"The cancer center is a wonderful place with really caring people. They 'checked my oil' Friday," he said of his twice-yearly blood test. It showed he's still cancer-free. Martin said he is so familiar with the symptoms he would have been able to tell them if cancer had recurred.
"If you think something's not right, get it checked out as soon as possible," he said, urging others to be vigilant. "I was fortunate it was caught when it was. I'd say I felt symptoms for less than two months before I got the diagnosis."
Race for Hope
To register online: find forms at allsportcentral.com, or missouririverrunners.com or call Jean Gill, race director, 402-638-2301to receive one by mail.
* Events - 5K and 15K walk or race: 11 age groups; overall awards to first-, second- and third-place Open category male and female winners and Masters male and female winners; awards to the top three winners, male and female, in each age category.
* Registration fees*: $25 if paid by Sept. 2; $35 after Sept. 2 . Registered participants receive a performance-fabric shirt or a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt.
* For kids: a 1K run, registration $5. May register in advance or on day of race. Each participant gets a prize.
* Food, door prizes: Registered participants receive food and are eligible to win door prizes.
* New this year: Chip timing for faster, more accurate results; and three-member teams competing on combined times for traveling trophy.
For more information: Visit nylencenter.com and click on Race for Hope, or contact Jean Gill at 402-638-2301 or jrgill@nntc.net.
Happily, two-and-a-half years of treatment at June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City has left him cancer-free and asking how he could give back to the center.
And so he is serving as this year's honorary ambassador for the center's 12th annual Race for Hope, a run and walk held to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have not survived and raise money for some of the center's nonmedical needs.
This year's race is Sept. 20 at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in McCook Lake, S.D.
Goal is record 500
Last year, a record 461 people participated, and 300 of them were walkers, according to race director Jean Gill.
This year's goal is 500 participants.
Pat Hubbard, cancer center development director, said that number would mean about $22,000 could be raised. All proceeds go to the cancer center. Sponsors fund the prizes. This year's proceeds are targeted to buy at least four retractable-arm televisions for the eight-chair chemotherapy area.
Any remaining money would go to patient care kits containing items such as aroma therapy, journals to help track and reflect on their cancer therapy, inspirational printed materials and possibly gas cards for those who need help with the expense of getting to treatment.
Check it ASAP
Martin, 55, lives in Hinton, Iowa, with his wife, Jo, and is the longtime owner of Pacific City Graphics in South Sioux City.
The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. Martin said he is trying to get all of them to participate in the race. And he's speaking to civic clubs and encouraging everyone he knows to register for it, too.
"This can be a really great family event," he said. "Everybody has been affected by cancer. If you have a loved one, neighbor or friend who has lost somebody to cancer, this is a way to do something about it.
"The cancer center is a wonderful place with really caring people. They 'checked my oil' Friday," he said of his twice-yearly blood test. It showed he's still cancer-free. Martin said he is so familiar with the symptoms he would have been able to tell them if cancer had recurred.
"If you think something's not right, get it checked out as soon as possible," he said, urging others to be vigilant. "I was fortunate it was caught when it was. I'd say I felt symptoms for less than two months before I got the diagnosis."
Race for Hope
To register online: find forms at allsportcentral.com, or missouririverrunners.com or call Jean Gill, race director, 402-638-2301to receive one by mail.
* Events - 5K and 15K walk or race: 11 age groups; overall awards to first-, second- and third-place Open category male and female winners and Masters male and female winners; awards to the top three winners, male and female, in each age category.
* Registration fees*: $25 if paid by Sept. 2; $35 after Sept. 2 . Registered participants receive a performance-fabric shirt or a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt.
* For kids: a 1K run, registration $5. May register in advance or on day of race. Each participant gets a prize.
* Food, door prizes: Registered participants receive food and are eligible to win door prizes.
* New this year: Chip timing for faster, more accurate results; and three-member teams competing on combined times for traveling trophy.
For more information: Visit nylencenter.com and click on Race for Hope, or contact Jean Gill at 402-638-2301 or jrgill@nntc.net.
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