Participants ran, walked and pushed strollers to raise money for the ESBCA’s biggest yearly fundraiser. This year’s proceeds were matched by the Sydow-Hedani family. Photo by Mike Bodine

By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
10-21-2008

For the eighth year in a row local residents came out in droves to show their support for those affected by breast cancer.
The Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance held its annual 10-kilometer run and 5-kilometer walk Saturday at the Bishop City Park, drawing hundreds of participants – from children in strollers to dogs and their owners – all moving, running or walking to help out local cancer patients and their families.
ESBCA President Pat Ramirez addressed the runners before the start. She said that this event has raised more than $200,000 in the past eight years and that did not include this year’s donations. Ramirez said that once again the Sydow-Hedani family would be matching donations.
Ian Lindsay, ESBCA board member and race organizer, said Monday that while the total money raised is cumulative from all fundraising events, the annual run is the biggest contributor. Another fundraiser is the Night Lights for ESBCA, a relay walk/run  held in June at the Bishop High School track from 6 p.m. to midnight.  

New this year at the race was a small tower near the registration booths where participants could write down the names of loved ones and others that were killed by breast cancer. Other signs of tribute for those taken by breast cancer were “Running In Memory of …” tags, worn proudly next to registration numbers.
Before the race commenced, Ramirez was very proud to announce the opening of the first regional cancer resource center on Nov. 3. A grand opening for the center will happen sometime in January 2009.

A tower of memories at the 8th Annual Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance Run (l) is scribed with the names of loved ones taken by cancer. Photo by Mike Bodine

The center will be housed behind the Family Health Centre in Bishop at 174 Iris St.
Lindsay explained that the all-volunteer center will finally be a place people can call or visit for information and learn about available resources, financial or emotional. Lindsay said that currently, people wanting answers call ESBCA members at home to find out information.
“We get phone calls late at night from people saying they’ve just been diagnosed, we can hear the panic in their voices and they need reassurance,” board member Kate Roberts said, adding that the center is also working with local doctors to get the word out that information and help is available.
Ramirez said delivering services the last three years without a central location has been very challenging as more people become aware that help is available and more applications come in, but a physical address and phone lines should ease the difficulties some. She also said that having a physical center will also help ESBCA pursue more grant monies and put on more fundraisers.
“This is a new beginning for us,” Ramirez and Roberts both said Monday while unpacking boxes of literature at the new center.
Roberts explained that the new resource center will be a place for the public to meet face to face with resource members to learn about a variety of cancers and where assistance is available, be it for transportation to out-of-town chemotherapy treatments or housing during those treatments. The center will have a dedicated land-line phone number, resources for financial aid and literature, in both Spanish and English. The center will also help clients fill out applications for aid.
“We’ll offer an umbrella of services,” Roberts said.
Ramirez wanted to thank KIBS for holding a barbecue and raffle fundraiser last Labor Day weekend that raised the $2,600 in starter money to get the center off the ground.
Roberts said the remaining funds to operate the center come from fundraisers, volunteer support and gracious donors.
The ESBCA Web site states about the fundraising events, “The events are a beautiful and meaningful way to remember those who had cancer and to honor those in your life who are in the fight.”
For more information about resources available, to donate or volunteer, call 920-8946, or visit www.esbca.com.