By Marce Edwards
For The Courier-Herald
Ida McLeary’s family has been touched by cancer twice.
Her mother’s breast cancer returned last January after a 23-year absence and her sister, Laura, died in November after a two-year battle with the disease.
On Dec. 23, McLeary and members of her family presented the Good Samaritan Foundation with a check for more than $7,830 on behalf of the “Come Walk with Me” 5K for Breast Cancer annual fundraiser in downtown Sumner. That’s more than double the amount raised the previous year.
McLeary said she hopes the money can be used to help other families deal with a cancer diagnosis through the Breast Health Programs at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.
“You have to have people to help you through this walk with cancer,” McLeary said. “My hope is that people hear about the services at Good Samaritan and go to this place. Good things will happen.”
This is the third year that proceeds from the walk will benefit patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Brooks said the donations will be used for Breast Health Programs, which provide post-mastectomy camisoles and wigs and community education and support services.
McLeary and her 45-member Van Dyk clan, which included her sisters Gertie Huff, Corrie Britt and the late Laura Steinthal got involved in the walk in 2008 but were disappointed with the turnout. They thought they could do better so they helped plan the 2009 event.
They spread the word in their community leveraging the volume of family members and its longtime service to the community.
The sisters drafted their sons, daughters, nieces and nephews including Cortney Britt, Brittany Huff and Kaitie Huff to recruit participants.
The “Come Walk with Me” walk was sponsored by the Sumner Downtown Association and staged at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse on Oct. 10.
The walk brought together more than 400 participants to raise money for breast cancer research and support.
The Van Dyk family already is planning the 2010 walk.
“It’s going to be more difficult without Laura but we are going to keep doing it because we have to find a cure,” McLeary said. “We will now fight in her name.”
