Lakeport >> 20 years ago, Julie Kelley’s mother, Darla Petranek, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was given a 5 percent chance of survival. In response, Charlie Jolin and Shirley Crawford organized the first Sponsoring Survivorship walk/run at Westside Community Park in Lakeport. Their goal was simple — raise money for Petranek’s treatment, in the hopes that she would see her young children grown.
After a bone marrow transplant, Kelley’s mother went into recovery. Today she’s doing well, and plans to speak at the walk/run this Saturday, which takes place on Main St. Lakeport. The day will include raffles, a live auction, a DJ and a photo booth. Participants have the option of taking part in a 2K walk, a 5K walk, a 5K run or a 10K run. But those who can’t walk or run can still support the cause by attending the event and donating.
The event is relaxed. Runners and walkers pay a $20 registration fee for whatever distance they wish, a number and a t-shirt. There’s no clock and no timer. It’s just about coming out and being there for cancer survivors.
During every walk/run, Sponsoring Survivorship invites survivors to walk for free, and they always honor the women by gifting them something special. Kelley, who is now Co-Director of the event, hopes the day helps alleviate the burden these women are facing or have faced in the past. “It’s all about that one individual and making sure that they know that they are loved,” she said.
Those who have been helped by Sponsoring Survivorship are quick to show their gratitude. “When they approach me, they always say how they want to give back,” Kelley said. “And that I think is priceless because they have been touched, they know what it felt like when someone loved them.”
Each year Sponsoring Survivorship raises between $8,000 and $13,000, all of which goes to Lake County women currently battling breast cancer. The non-profit group works with patients, their families, doctors and pharmacies to help cover the costs of treatment. Through outside organizations, some women qualify for complete coverage of all medical costs.
The walk/run is the organization’s sole fundraiser each year, and in the last two decades Sponsoring Survivorship has helped 70 women in Lake County. They’ve never been forced to turn anyone away due to lack of finances. And though a handful of other events take place on the same day every year — the Konocti Challenge, Oktoberfest, the Falling Leaves Quilt Show — it never matters. People give just the same. “We’re a little community, but people love people,” Kelley said. “It’s amazing.”
When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Kelley began running marathons. Each year she picks someone with cancer, and runs both for them and Sponsoring Survivorship. “I have so much compassion and love for them,” she said. “I wish I could do more. I wish that was not their journey.”
Sponsoring Survivorship will be around as long as they’re needed, but Kelley hopes than in the future, their services will be unnecessary. One day she’d like to see the community come together not to raise money for those battling cancer, but to celebrate a cure. “I would hope we would have a big huge party and there would be no more cancer,” Kelley said. “Life without cancer, that’s what I wish.”
The Sponsoring Survivorship walk/run takes place Saturday. Registration begins at 7 a.m. outside Bank of America in Lakeport.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
