St. Clair Shores

Walk/run aims to 'Stamp Out Cancer'

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Lorrie Lipa from the Van Elslander Cancer Center at St. John Hospital Detroit knows the importance of community involvement.

In order to be successful at helping cancer patients and their families through difficult times, Lipa, an administrator, says funds are of vital importance.

“We have a good bank here at the cancer center for our patients coming in for care and meeting with our social workers and dieticians,” said Lipa. “We found a lot just weren’t getting their needs met.”

Lipa said one of Van Elslander’s major supporters over the years has been Next Level Health and Fitness in St. Clair Shores.

“Next Level has been a very, very good partner with us,” she said. “They hold regular drives to supply food to the pantry, and they raise money that sustains supportive services for our patients.”

They have done this over the past four years through their now-annual Stamp Out Cancer 5K Walk/Run.

Next Level co-owner Mike Fox said the 5k marathon started as a way to honor gym members who had been afflicted with cancer over the years, including Mike Shott, a resident of Grosse Pointe Woods who passed away in 2008 from brain cancer. Shott participated in the first run/walk in his wheelchair, though he completed the last 10 yards with the aid of ski pole. “Everybody was in tears,” said Fox.

During last year’s fundraiser, which netted $10,000 for Van Elslander, a female gym member who underwent a craniotomy made another inspiring finish.

“It took her four hours to complete, and when she was done, she received a standing ovation,” said Fox.

There was also Rachel Allenom, who signed up at the gym with her mom when she was 8. Allenom suffered from bone cancer and underwent numerous surgeries over the years. Fox said as part of her rehabilitation, Allenom worked out regularly at Next Level. She is now a 20-year-old attending college and a regular participant in the marathon.

The fourth annual Stamp Out Cancer 5K Walk/Run will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12. The event begins and ends at Blossom Heath Park on the Nautical Mile.

Fox said participants are asked to park their cars at Blossom Heath. From there, they will be shuttled from Blossom Heath to Next Level Health and Fitness at 21435 Greater Mack, where the run/walk will start at 10 a.m.   

A celebratory picnic with refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the walk/run at Blossom Heath Park, where there will be a silent auction of numerous items donated by local businesses. Fox, whose business partner is Don Jaeger, said members of the De La Salle High School basketball team will once again volunteer their presence at mile markers.

The signup fee is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the event. Teams or individuals are welcome to sign up.

Lipa said she and members of the Van Elslander team participate each year and noted that net proceeds from the event will benefit breast cancer patients by supporting services like cooking classes, art therapy classes, yoga classes, reflexology and therapeutic massage, and funding for those patients who are not insured or under insured. Also supported is Van Elslander’s grief recovery program.

According to the Van Elslander website, one in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and two-thirds of cancer deaths could be prevented through healthy living

Cancer survivors are invited to participate in the One Mile Survivor walk during Stamp Out Cancer.

Fox says the walk/run will be beneficial to everyone involved.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a good day.”

For more information, call (586) 776-2800 or the Van Elslander Cancer Center hotline at (866) 246-HOPE.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.