PORT ANGELES — The inaugural Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon will begin with opening ceremonies and a survivors’ lap at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“We would like to have any or all of them [prostate cancer survivors] that would like to show up and be a part of that lap,” said Gary Johnson, a longtime employee of the Safeway on Lincoln Street who led the organization of the 24-hour relay at the Port Angeles High School track.
Prostate cancer survivors will pause for a moment of silence at the end of the survivors’ lap to remember those who lost their battle with all forms of cancer.
Teams of 10 walkers will then take turns circling the quarter-mile track for 24 hours.
The cost to enter the walk-a-thon is $10 per person. Individuals can show up and walk as many laps as they want.
Same-day registration will be held at the track beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The top fundraiser at the walk-a-thon will win an overnight stay in Victoria, Johnson said.
Autographed baseballs
The Prostate Cancer Society donated 10 autographed baseballs signed by major league players for Safeway to auction at its store at 110 E. Third St., where some 20 businesses have paid $100 each to have Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon banners that hang over the aisles.
Baseballs to be auctioned have been signed by Cal Ripken Jr., David Ortiz, Chipper Jones, Lance Berkman, Paul Konerko and former Seattle Mariners Dan Wilson and Richie Sexon.
All proceeds from the walk-a-thon and the baseball auction will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation donated 60 cancer-themed cookbooks to the Safeway branch. The books are available for a $15 donation.
The Safeway branch has raised close to half of its $16,200 goal for June for prostate cancer research.
To sign up for the Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon or to volunteer, phone the Lincoln Street Safeway store at 360-457-0788.