Warren relays for life-saving research

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daryl Knee
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  A Relay for Life walkathon takes place in Cheyenne June 5 in the Okie Blanchard Stadium at 2800 E. Pershing.

According to the Relay for Life Web site, the walk is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Already, there is a medical group team, and one of the team captains is encouraging other Warren groups, squadrons or flights to join the cause.

"The walk helps people out there who have cancer to know others have survived what they are going through," said Tech. Sgt. Micki Hinnershitz, 90th Medical Operations Support Squadron. "I've never been involved with something like this before. But watching the community support of the walk last year made me know I wanted to get the wing involved."

Team registration goes on from now until a right before the event, she said. The cost is $100 and teams can have eight to 15 members.

During the 24-hour event, teams must have at least one person walking the track, she said. The more people in a team means more people to share the fun.

"There is hope," the sergeant said. "It's amazing how cancer research has progressed, and fund raisers like these ensure that the research continues."

Last year, in Cheyenne alone, the community gathered $168,000 for the research, she said.

With more Warren support, the donations may be even higher, she added.

"Everyone has been or knows someone who has been affected by cancer," Sergeant Hinnershitz said. "This is the least we can do to help."

For more information on how to set up a team, or to find a team to join, call Tech. Sgt. Christine Ramler at 773-2732 or Sergeant Hinnershitz at 773-3406.