BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Monitor
LAKE BUTLER—It’s time for residents to come out and walk or run to help find a cure for cancer – the second annual United for a Cure 5K is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 30, 2023, at Lake Butler Hospital.
This year, rather than trying to coordinate the input from several organizers, a group has been formed and incorporated to streamline the process of putting the event together and making it work. United for a Cure Inc. is made up of Carita Wall, Mendy Whitaker, Tina Lloyd and Jill Walding.
The first annual United for a Cure 5K was organized as a group effort by individuals from Shadd Trucking and Lake Butler Hospital.
The group reached out to other community members to organize last year’s event and, for this year, made the community partnership official through the incorporation. The corporation has been approved as a 501c3 – a non-profit organization.
There are already 140 walkers/runners registered to participate, but more are expected, and the hope is to exceed the number of participants from last year’s figure of 224. Sponsors are also needed, with 38 businesses, community organizations, and individuals already committed.
Last year, the event raised over $42,000 to support research and education; organizers hope to top that with this year’s event.
The proceeds from the event will be handled differently this year, thanks to the new corporate structure.
Some money will be sent to the various cancer foundations to support cancer research and education. A portion will be kept in the community to assist residents undergoing treatment.
Expenses like transportation, prescriptions, and preventative screenings are often beyond the financial means of many Union County residents. More information about applying for this help will be available at the event or the organization’s website.
Registration forms are available online and can be dropped off at Lake Butler Hospital or Shadd Trucking by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The fee for registering this way is $25, cash or check. Online registrations will be accepted for $26 ($25 plus $1 processing fee), or you can register at the event for a $30 fee.
The event will officially start at 9 a.m., so if you need to register, please come early – the pre-event starting time is 7 a.m. There will be water stations along the route, and at Lake Butler Hospital, there will be vendors, drawings, giveaways, and a raffle.
Box lunches will be available for $5, with the proceeds going to United for a Cure Inc. There will also be free popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy on hand, donated by Woodman of the World and served by Lake Butler Woman’s Club members. There will also be speakers, all cancer survivors or family members after the event.
More information and registration forms are available at the organization’s website at UnitedForACureInc.com and on Facebook at United for a Cure, Inc. You can also contact the board members at Lake Butler Hospital or Shadd Trucking by 5 p.m. Sept. 29, 2023.
