Island Falls residents walk for a cancer cure

10 years ago

ISLAND FALLS, Maine — A rainy start to the inaugural County Walk Toward A Cure walk/run did not dampen the spirits of a group of about 40 runners and walkers who gathered at the Island Falls Municipal Building May 24.

Organized by Kevin Dubois and Ruth Frazier, the walk/run was held as a fundraiser for the cancer group’s Bridge to Hope and Sarah’s House.
“Kevin and his wife came to me wanting to do a walk,” Frazier said. “I felt I wanted everything to stay local. It is local people who donated, so we decided on Bridge to Hope (in Houlton) and Sarah’s House (in Holden) as the two groups we would support.”
Frazier herself is a cancer survivor, so putting together an event that benefits two groups who financially help families who are undergoing cancer treatments was a no-brainer.
“It started out as just a walk and race and then it blossomed to include a tag sale, children’s games and a barbecue,” Frazier said. “All of the proceeds for everything benefit those two organizations.”
The United Baptist Church sponsored the tag sale, while the Pentecostal Church in Oakfield sponsored the children’s games. A dance was also held that evening with a portion of the proceeds going to the cause.
“We wanted to make sure that the money raised here today stays here,” DuBois said. “Anyone in business understands these are hard times and our communities are hurting. Cancer is really tough on our communities. We have had a lot of loved ones who aren’t with us, but we have a lot of strong survivors.
“For Sarah’s House, every dollar raised is going to help restore a building to house up to nine families at a time, so they don’t have to pay for hotel costs,” he continued. “And Bridge to Hope helps people traveling for treatments by giving them gas cards.”