Supporting Ribbon Walk Keeps Donations Local

Fighting cancer is hard enough without having to worry about how the bills are going to be paid or facing the fight away from home and a support system. Fortunately, local residents facing this fight have options to stay close to home for treatments and a fund to help with expenses.

Proceeds raised at the 1st Annual Ribbon Walk will stay local benefiting the Cancer Coalition and the Sidney Health Center Cancer Care funds managed by the Foundation for Community Care.

"It was a top priority of our planning committee that the funds raised at the Ribbon Walk stay local to help cancer services in the area," stated Toni Zieske, Ribbon Walk committee member. "Donors want to see the direct impact of their funds donated. We feel that the Cancer Coalition and Sidney Health Center Cancer Care funds are perfect ways to directly help cancer patients in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota."

The Cancer Coalition Fund that was set up in the spring of 2013 has already helped 30 people affected by cancer in the community by offering assistance with non-medical household expenses. The Sidney Health Center Cancer Care has treated patients all the way from Jordan to Bottineau, ND and Westby to Wibaux. Through the offering of chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments, many patients are able to stay close to home and receive state of the art cancer treatment.

The Ribbon Walk will be held on Friday, June 27 at Swanson Field at Sidney High School. Starting at 5:00 PM, the event will feature a Kids Corner with bouncy house, obstacle course and games. There will also be food vendors and a silent auction.

Participants will have the opportunity to decorate tribute signs to wear during the walk in memory or in honor of a loved one. Strips of ribbon can be purchased during the walk, decorated with names or words of encouragement and tied onto a special area on the fence surrounding the track.

At 7:00 PM, the walk will kick off with a survivor lap followed by the teams. Plan to join in the fun of a Flash Mob as participants dance celebrating cancer survivors. The dance steps are available on the Ribbon Walk Facebook page.

The staple of the evening will be the Sky Lantern Ceremony at 10:00 PM. Sky Lanterns will be released in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those lost to this deadly disease. "The Sky Lanterns are a beautiful way to honor or remember those affected by cancer," said Zieske. "We are looking forward to the many lanterns that will be released and filling the sky with light and hope." Sky Lanterns are available at the Foundation for Community Care or from any Ribbon Walk Team. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display donated by TNT Fireworks from Williston.

To donate to the Ribbon Walk, visit the Foundation for Community Care's website at http://www.foundationforcommunitycare.org or donate via text message by texting 0627 to 41444 and clicking on the link.