Cancer walk team gains community support

The upcoming Breast Cancer Walk is ready to hit the Saratoga Golf Course Saturday, with one team in particular gaining much local support.

This participating team known as “Team Diana” is dedicated to Diana Raymer of Saratoga, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier this year. Husband Randy Raymer is grateful for the growing support of his walking team, which he said boasts about 40 people.

“Diana was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January, so obviously this is a subject that is close to home,” he said. “Our team has an upwards of 40 people, I think. Our community, including family members, friends, business associates and people from church, has shown us phenomenal support, and we also have to give credit to the Platte Valley Medical Clinic and Corbett Medical Foundation.”

Randy said friends and family members are coming from out of town to join in Team Diana, which will also include him, his two children and even Diana herself.

“Diana will probably participate via golf cart, since she recently had chemo last Wednesday (June 26),” he said. “Something like this is a huge life-changer for me, and it has helped me refocus on how to live life.”

Scott Bokelman, advisor for the Breast Cancer Walk, said he was quite pleased to see Team Diana gain support and several participating members.

“I think this is great, and it will promote more awareness and fundraising efforts for research toward cancer,” he said. “It will help get the word out on awareness for the whole community.”

Bokelman said he already has other walking teams signed up or possibly in the formation process.

“The city has a team put together and the school’s central office also has a team,” he said. “The school has also put teachers together as a team, and the sawmill talked about putting a team together. The kids helping put on the walk will also participate in the Fourth of July parade to help promote it, and they’ll be selling items at the walk to raise money.”

This year’s Breast Cancer Walk around the Saratoga Golf Course is sponsored by the Saratoga Middle/High School and SkillsUSA, a nationwide career and technical student organization. Proceeds from those who sign up to participate in the event go toward the Dallas, Texas-based Susan G. Komen Foundation breast cancer organization in the United States.

The Breast Cancer Walk starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Saratoga Resort and Spa. Registrations can be taken before and during the walk, and teams will be discounted $5 per person. Teams must have five people or more.

People can also register through email at [email protected].

There is a $20 registration fee per person, or a $15 registration free for each person on a team of five or more . T-shirts come with registrations, and all proceeds will be donated to the Wyoming Susan G. Komen Foundation.