A Mother’s Wish, the Lake Orion-based 501c3 charity dedicated to providing financial assistance to Oakland County women and their families impacted by breast cancer, will be hosting its third annual 5K Walk/Run and 10K Run on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The event is supported by Lake Orion Community Enrichment and takes place at 9 a.m. at Lake Orion High School. The race route will take participants on paved safety paths, neighborhood streets and Bald Mountain State Park trails.
New this year is a special award to the largest walk/run team that participates in the event. In addition, awards will once again be given to the overall 5K/10K male and female racers, as well as top three finishers in each age group.
Since its founding in 2011, A Mother’s Wish has raised tens of thousands of dollars to financially support and comfort more than 50 Oakland County women and families dealing with breast cancer. In 2012, the 5K/10K run/walk attracted more than 600 supporters from throughout southeast Michigan and raised more than $30,000, including donations from t-shirt and sign sponsors, as well as other community organizations.
‘We welcome people from throughout the region to join us for this year’s celebration of loved ones who have overcome the disease, honor and remember those who we’ve lost and support those who are currently battling breast cancer,? said A Mother’s Wish Founder Don Luby, who lost his wife Kathy in 2008.
A Lake Orion native, mother of five and school teacher, Kathy was the inspiration for her husband and friends to launch A Mother’s Wish three years later.
‘The first two years of this walk/run generated overwhelming support from throughout Lake Orion and the surrounding communities,? Luby noted.
‘We hope with the addition of the team competition this year even more people will come out and support us.?
Financial assistance provided by A Mother’s Wish is used to help families during and after treatment pay for a variety of expenses, including mortgage and automobile payments, utilities, food, clothing, gasoline and other daily needs.
To register or for more information visit Lake Orion school district’s community education website at http://rp.lakeorion.k12.mi.us, where there is a special link for event information.
Early registration is $25.
People can also sign up the morning of the race between 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Lake Orion High School for $30.