LV Life

Inaugural Cancer Walk raises funds

ASF hosted the inaugural 10K ULV Cancer Walk on Saturday. Balloons were tied up on street posts to indicate a change of direction in the course. Freshman Katie Lyons, sophomores Rey Lopez, Barbara Silva and Vickie Creekmur lead the group as it turns at the corner of Arrow Highway and San Dimas Canyon Road. / photo by Isela Peña
ASF hosted the inaugural 10K ULV Cancer Walk on Saturday. Balloons were tied up on street posts to indicate a change of direction in the course. Freshman Katie Lyons, sophomores Rey Lopez, Barbara Silva and Vickie Creekmur lead the group as it turns at the corner of Arrow Highway and San Dimas Canyon Road. / photo by Isela Peña

by Julia Carachure
Staff Writer

Orange and green balloons greeted participants as they began to arrive for the first Associated Students Federation (ASF) Forum Cancer Walk on Saturday.

Participants signed in at the registration table by the Rock and turned in money from donations collected. T-shirts were also distributed.

According to Frank Tolentino, vice president of activities for ASF, the reason for having the Cancer Walk at ULV is that “we wanted to do something new. I know we are breaking traditions, but we are also trying to add new ones.”

Total donations were more than $1,500 from the 43 people that actually participated in the walk. Donations will go to the American Cancer Society.

After the walk, Tolentino announced the people that raised the highest amounts of donations. The top six participants were freshman Neal Houska with $290, sophomore Rey Lopez and his mother, Rachel, with $180; Stacey Mleckzo with $150; Kimberly Knowlton with $140; Lauren Wooding with $130; and freshman Erica Weiner with $100.

James Lawry, field services director in the Inland Valley, shared a speech about the society and how 133,000 people will develop some type of cancer in California alone. He also said that three-fourths of families are affected by cancer.

He said that the mortality rate is going down as well, due to the fact that many people are now aware of preventative measures such as eating right and avoiding smoking.

Rebecca Stafford, member of the executive board of the Cancer Society and vice president of cancer control, mentioned some of the services that the Cancer Society has for the communities, such as nutrition week at elementary schools and the Great American Smokeout. She also said that the Cancer Society goes out and tries to create awareness about prevention and facts about cancer.

Stafford said she got involved with the society when, six years ago, her father was diagnosed with cancer of the throat and survived.

“You need to have passion and commitment. When you find out that a friend is diagnosed with cancer, and they ask if they have a chance, tell them that you are their chance”

“I like to help in any way I can. Every little bit counts,” sophomore Tammie Davis said.

Other participants were there for personal reasons. Senior Lehi Dowell said he participated “Because cancer runs in my family and I want to support victims.”

Freshman Amanda Hubbard felt the same way. “I wanted to support the cancer society. My aunt suffered cancer for a while, she is OK now. I am also here because of Circle K.”

Participants lined up on Third Street to walk carrying balloons and water bottles. ASF Forum members held up a banner and participants walked through the banner and to begin.

The route began on Third Street to D Street, then south to Arrow Highway, east to San Dimas Canyon Road, and then north to Foothill Blvd, back to D Street and ending again on Third Street at the Rock.

The first two people who arrived from the walk were Lopez and freshman Katie Lyons who broke the banner as they reached the finish line.

Prizes for the Cancer Walk were given out. They included dinner at Buca di Beppo in Claremont, Red Robin in San Dimas, passes to Raging Waters for next season, certificates to the Juice Stop in La Verne, Blockbuster Video certificates, dinner at Mi Ranchito in La Verne and Sizzler in San Dimas. Notebooks and other school supplies were given out as well.

The event concluded with a T-shirt signing by all of the participants, which will later be framed and placed on campus at a site to be determined.

“Everything was absolutely fantastic. Everyone was there on time, everyone was enthusiastic, ant at the end of the walk, everyone had an astonishing smile on their face. Next year will be a bigger event and I hope more people participate and there’s more to come,” Tolentino concluded.

Julia Carachure, Editorial Director
Julia Carachure
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