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Sports

7th Annual Stepping Up to Wellness

Step Up to Wellness with Cancer Wellness Center’s May Fundraiser

Walk or Run in Solidarity with Those Living with Cancer

Most people have had cancer touch their lives in some way, be it through a personal battle or standing by a loved one diagnosed with the disease. Places like Northbrook’s Cancer Wellness Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by cancer through counseling, wellness programs, educational classes and support groups, help make the journey easier for patients and families alike. The Cancer Wellness Center will hold its 7th annual Stepping Up to Wellness Walk/Run to raise awareness and funds about the organization’s many free programs and services. The event will take place Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Participants can choose between three events: a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, and the Marcia Slotky 1 Mile Family Walk.

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The Cancer Wellness Center truly believes that a healthy dose of community support goes a long way in the fight against cancer. Bring the whole family for a leisurely morning hanging out by Independence Grove’s 115-acre lake and join patients, survivors, volunteers, and community members for pre-race dancing and stretching with music from a live deejay. The races will be followed by a trophy presentation to acknowledge the top fundraisers and race winners. Net proceeds from the event will go to support the Cancer Wellness Center mission of “helping people live better while living with cancer.”

The Cancer Wellness Center believes that treating the whole person, not just the illness, is the key to coping with and battling cancer. The Center offers counseling, networking and support groups for patients and families, nutritional guidance, educational classes and seminars, exercise and mind and body classes, and access to an extensive library of resources. The organization depends 100 percent on the generosity of its donors and on annual events, such as the walk/run to raise funds so it can continue to offer all of these services free of charge.

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Stepping Up to Wellness is not subject to weather, so come rain or shine! Independence Grove is located at 16400 W. Buckley Road in Libertyville, IL.

Runners: both the 10K and 5K runs will be timed and certified. Please note the schedule for race times:

  • Volunteer Call Time: 6:30am
  • 10K Run: 8:30am (Check-in begins at 7am)
  • 5K Run/Walk: 9am (Check-in begins at 7am)
  • Marcia Slotky 1 Mile Family Walk: 10am (Check-in begins at 8:45)

Each paid participant will receive a Stepping Up t-shirt and race sack. Pre-registered event participants must pick up these items prior to race day. Packets will be available for pickup on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Running Away Multisport, 800 Waukegan Road in Deerfield.

Registration fees are as follows:

  • 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk: $30 (pre-registration) or $35 (day of)
  • Marcia Slotky 1 Mile Family Walk: $10 (pre-registration) or $15 (day of)

Organize a team or participate as a family or individual. Individuals who raise $1,000+ will have the opportunity to dedicate an inscribed leaf to a loved one that will be installed on the center’s grapevine sculpture. Visit http://www.events.org/steppinguptowellness/ to register and begin raising money!

This year’s sponsors to date include:  Mimi Marcia’s Mile, Wintrust, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, North Shore Oncology Hematology Associates, CFSC, Gewalt-Hamilton, Sunset Foods, Mobile Music, Running Away Multi Sport.

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