KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kayla Desroches/KMXT
Relay for Life fundraises against cancer and for those affected by it, and it’s coming to Kodiak.
Funds from the 24 hour walk go to the American Cancer Society. Volunteer Sarah Nugent says the event lasts for 24 hours because “cancer never sleeps” and neither do they.
“It gives us a chance to kind of feel what it might be like to be a cancer patient to kind of walk in their shoes for a day and see the struggles of fatigue and just that battle of putting one foot in front of the other.”
Nugent says she’s been involved in Relay for Life for almost ten years.
“I started Relay for Life when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and we relayed very hard with her until she lost her battle and then shortly after that, I volunteered to be on the committee to help organize the event, and I’ve been helping to organize the event for the last – this is my last sixth year now.”
She says in addition to walking and raising funds in that way, people will be selling goods, like shirts and pastries. The money will also go towards local efforts.
“American Cancer Society helps our cancer patients here in Kodiak. They help them with transportation to and from if they have to travel off island for transportation to their treatments. They offer prosthetics if someone has to have a mastectomy or anything like that. They offer wigs for patients that might lose their hair.”
Among many other services.
The event will be at Woody Way Field Saturday, July 30 at 11 a.m. and continue until 11 a.m. the next day.
