Bishop - Show of support for local cancer victims returns to Bishop City Park

Ready, set, go! Participants in the seventh annual Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance walk and fun run begin the race last year. More than 300 residents and visitors are expected to register for this year’s fundraiser. File photo

It’s time once again to lace up the running shoes and head out to the Bishop City Park to help the Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance help our neighbors in need.
The eighth annual ESBCA 5K Walk and 10K Fun Run will be held at the park at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. In addition to the popular race, the ESBCA will be providing refreshments for participants and will be auctioning off two quilts that were anonymously donated as a race-day raffle to help the ESBCA provide crucial aid to local cancer patients.
This is an opportunity for residents and visitors to stretch their legs on a 10-kilometer run or take in a leisurely five-kilometer walk in and around Bishop, all the while raising money that will help Eastern Sierra residents who are suffering from cancer make it to their next chemotherapy appointment, or put food on their table.
Proceeds from the annual walk/run “go towards helping local cancer patients travel to clinics and appointments, pay for lodging, gas, medical bills and it also helps pay for their food bills,” ESBCA Board Member and race organizer Ian Lindsay said.

Participants in last year’s ESBCA walk/run take a leisurely stroll along the course. The annual walk/run is open to both racers and walkers who want to help raise money for local cancer patients. File photo

Lindsay added that cancer treatments can be costly, and many who are battling the disease are unable to work. That’s where the ESBCA comes to cancer victims’ aid, providing money to help make ends meet.
“I would encourage the local residents to participate, it’s just a good thing to help the local cancer patients,” Lindsay said. “It’s just a chance to help your fellow Bishopites.”
Each year about 300 Eastern Sierra residents, from Bridgeport to Lone Pine, turn out for the run, which takes walkers and runners from the park to Wye Road, down the Bishop Canal and back to the park.
“This is the one main fundraiser” for the ESBCA, said race organizer Kate Roberts. “We raise between $25,000 and $30,000 because of the matching contribution.”
Once again the Sydow-Hedani family of Southern California will be participating in the race and contributing a donation matching the proceeds from residents. That means that every entry fee the ESBCA collects by race day will be doubled.
According to Lindsay, the Sydow-Hedani family, though residing in Southern California, has ties to the Eastern Sierra and been touched by the tragedy of cancer.
For the past several years the family has contributed its substantial donation to the ESBCA during its annual race.
“I think they do this just because they are very familiar with breast cancer” and the Sierra and want to help, Lindsay said.
With the help of residents and the matching donation by the Sydow-Hedani family, the ESBCA has been able to disperse more than $100,000 to local cancer patients in the past three years, Roberts said.
Anyone who is interested in participating in Saturday’s walk/run can pick up a registration form at Northern Inyo Hospital, KIBS/KBOV Radio and Inyo and Mono County libraries.
The ESBCA will also be offering an early registration day from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Northern Inyo Hospital.
Anyone who registers early for the race will receive a $5 discount.
For more information, call Lindsay at (760) 872-4686.