September 1, 2009 We All Know Someone Touched by Cancer Honor them by Running, Walking, or Biking for Hope Sunday, September 13, join us for the Run for Hope which will be held at the Best Western White House Inn in Hampden. The Run for Hope is a long-time local tradition. The race will start at 11:30 am at the Best Western White House Inn, I-95, Exit 180 (behind Dysart’s). The run/walk course is a 5k walk/run race and with a new 13 mile biking option. The bicycle ride will not be timed and participants may start their ride at any time” there is no set time for a “grand start” for bikers. We will be giving awards to the bicyclists who raise the most money. The Run for Hope will celebrate local community heroes.

This year's Run for Hope honorary chairman is Paul Husson of Dedham, and the Run for Hope honorees are Jenifer Lloyd of Hampden, and Mart Lapin of Old Town. Paul Husson, long time employee of Husson University, and son of the founder of the school Mr. Chesley Husson, and is currently serving a Husson Fellow. Paul is a three-time cancer survivor who has survived stage IV colon cancer, skin cancer and most recently an unrelated lung cancer in 2006. Paul is no stranger to adversity and those around him admire his strength. He is thankful for the wonderful care he received over the years at EMMC’s Cancer Care of Maine. . Everyone he worked with there showed a compassion and professionalism that was crucial to his recovery. Jenifer Lloyd, age 43, from Hampden, was diagnosed with breast cancer, March of 2005. Diagnosed with a more aggressive form Jenifer spent 18 months in treatment. Her experience as a patient and survivor has fueled her passion for education and advocacy. She is hopeful that with her involvement in events like Run for Hope that one day breast cancer will be eradicated as a deadly disease. Mart Lapin is a 77 year old retired lawyer who lives in Orono with his wife, Mary. Between February 25, 2000 and December of 2001, he sustained six broken ribs, had a cancerous kidney removed, two cancers removed from his bladder, had shoulder surgery, underwent twenty six radiation treatments for vocal cord cancer, had a skin cancer removed from his chest and had a complete knee joint replacement.

We ask that you join us in celebrating Paul, Jenifer, and Mart, as well as other cancer survivors on September 13. All proceeds from this run/walk/bike will benefit Champion the Cure, the campaign for a new cancer and research center. We're asking for your participation and donation. Every dollar that is raised will stay right here in our community – helping neighbors and friends. So far, a great number of supporters for the run/walk/bike have already signed on to participate. There will be age group awards, drawings for prizes and t-shirts (available for purchase) for the first 200 participants. (Cost for registration is $15 per individual, shirts are $5.) For your convenience you can register securely on-line by visiting www.runforhope.org. Donations from those not running or walking can be sent to Run for Hope, c/o the Best Western White House Inn, 155 Littlefield Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. For more information, please call 862-8000, and ask for Cameo Dunton or Peter Daigle.

View a recent Run for Hope news video from WLBZ