Team Raises Money For Cancer Patients

WAITSBURG - The WP cross country team is raising money for breast cancer pa- tients by selling wristbands.

All cross country team members will be selling breast cancer awareness wristbands through Oct. 12 for $2 each.

Coach Joanna Lanning said if all of the bands are sold, the team will be able to donate $600 to the Breast Cancer Special Needs Fund at Providence St. Mary's in Walla Walla.

The idea for the fundraiser was Lanning's. She said she liked how NFL teams and the Walla Walla Rodeo par- ticipants wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.

"I thought it would be neat if we did a fundraiser," Lan- ning said.

The team decided to pur- chase the wristbands to sell because they are popular with their peers. The staff members of the Providence St. Mary Foundation sug- gested the team focus its fundraising efforts on the Breast Cancer Special Needs Fund.

Money donated to the fund goes directly to cover the costs of special prescribed post-treatment sleeves, medi- cines, transportation, food and lodging.

To teach the athletes more about the cause they are fundraising for, Lanning invited Julie Johnston to visit practice and talk about her battle against cancer. Johnston is currently fighting stage four breast cancer. She said she had breast cancer 17 years ago that she fought successfully and she is now dealing with a recurrence of the disease.

"I have been given years," Johnston said. "There is no cure."

Her doctors are currently giving her treatments to give her more years, she said.

Johnston told the group her medication costs $500 a month. Many cancer patients are on more medications than that.

Johnston said she was lucky to have insurance that helped cover some costs. However, not all cancer pa- tients have the coverage.

Lanning said Johnston's message to the athletes emphasized taking good care of their bodies to keep them healthy and to remain op- timistic through life's chal- lenges.

Also, she wanted the group to know she was proud of their advocacy.

"It is a special thing they are doing," she said. "They were great kids and it's a great cause."

After the presentation last Tuesday at practice, the team thanked Johnston with a team t-shirt. Lanning said her athletes listened closely and asked a few questions.

"I think it had a big impact on them," she said.

In addition to giving her time, Johnston and her husband Rick also donated $100 to the team's cause.

Lanning said she is hoping all of the athletes sell their 10 to 20 bracelets so they can give lots to this important fund.

"It's a really great thing," Lanning said. "We can help relieve a little bit of some- body's anxiety."