Community to participate in 14th annual Middlebury Walks for a Cure

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. – Sunday morning marks the 14th Annual Middlebury Walks for a Cure at Das Dutchman Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center. The event will raise money and breast cancer awareness.

Each year the money raised benefits the Goshen Center for Cancer Care and Cancer Resources for Elkhart County.

The event was created in 2005 by a Middlebury neighbor, who fought her own battle with cancer, with a group of friends.

Now, the walk has grown to over 500 participants with more teams and community partners participating each year.

The 5k run/walk will begin at 2:15, and then survivors will lead the walk that follows.

Goshen Health considers survivors to be anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The event features a pretty in pink contest, raffles and a survivor network that connects survivors with community members or people who have lost loved ones to cancer.

Health Education and Outreach Coordinator Hollie Carlson says the day is always anticipated by the community.

“There will be a lot of laughter, a lot of stories shared, and even some tears too. It’s a very emotional time -- when you see friends and families of those who have lost loved ones to cancer, and when we’ve got friends and family of those cancer survivors,” Carlson explained.

Carlson says that the number of cancer cases in the area being diagnosed is rising; but, she says that with great research, resources and doctors, Goshen Health has been able to treat cancer patients.

Carlson urges everyone to know the message of awareness should not only be spread during the event or month of October, but all year long.

“We’ve got pink hair, and pink ribbons, and pink wrist bands. But what we see though is October everybody becomes a little bit more aware, and we want people to remember that cancer is not just an October thing. Awareness and early detection, having your screenings done having those conversations with your doctor should be happening year- round,” she said.

There will be on-sight registration Sunday afternoon beginning at 12:30.