1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. As a woman myself, that is a scary statistic, however, the great thing about it is that there are so many wonderful organizations that raise money to bring awareness and help in the fight against it. The Heaven Can Wait 5k walk/run race in downtown Bend, Oregon, is no exception to this!
Each year on National Cancer Survivors Day, the first Sunday in June, the Heaven Can Wait 5K run/walk draws thousands to Bend’s lovely Drake Park. Funds raised go directly to Sara’s Project, a fund of the St. Charles Foundation, which provides education, early detection and support services to ease the challenges of breast cancer for people in Central and Eastern Oregon. 200 women in this area alone are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. So far since the event was founded in 2000, $1.3 million has been raised.
The event itself is open to all skills and abilities and draws thousands from the area and even out of state to celebrate cancer survivorship. The route is mostly flat and winds through the park and nearby quaint residential neighborhoods. There will be aid stations throughout the course and a very fun celebration at the finish line that you won’t want to miss out on. The race is billed as non-competitive but still timed and in a unique way to celebrate the theme of the day – prizes will be awarded in the cancer survivor category only — first, second and third for both female and male. How cool!
This race has a goal of reaching at least 3,300 people registrations and as of this writing, they have 500. Why not join in and run a fun race for a very good cause? Sounds like a great idea to me!
Where: Drake Park in downtown Bend, Oregon 777 NW Riverside Blvd
When: Sunday, June 4, 2017
7 a.m. – In-person registration
8 a.m. – Activities begin
9 a.m. – Race begins
- $25.00 Registration (through 5/20)
- $30.00 Late Registration (5/20 through 6/2)
- $35.00 Race Week Registration (6/2 through 6/3)
- $40.00 Day of Event Registration
- Child Entry (Under 5 years): Free through 6/3
