PUHI — Dogs and the people who love them can take their daily constitutional and fight cancer at the same time by participating in Sunday’s Bark For Life event at Kaua‘i Community College.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., the Relay for Life event kicks off at the KCC Performing Arts Building, where people and their pups will walk the one-mile lap around campus.
“It is almost impossible to find someone who has not been touched by cancer,” said event chairwoman Ricko Rask. “This walk celebrates hope to find a cure, the desire for those with cancer both human and animal to live with love, dignity, joy and comfort for however long they do .”
Money raised will go to the American Cancer Society to support services it provides on Kaua‘i. Those include 24-hour information about resources, medical insurance questions, what to expect with treatment, treatment options, kids camps, family support conferences, reduced rates for hotels during treatment, cancer education classes and assistance with ground and air transportation to and from appointments.
“(That’s) invaluable for outer island people who have go to O‘ahu for treatment,” Rask said in an email.
She added that she wanted to offer a dog walk to support ACS, because it’s the type of event that could grow in the community. Sunday’s walk will be the first of its kind on Kaua‘i and the second in the state. As a nurse and animal advocate, the walk seemed like a good way to promote health and the human-animal bond.
Registration is $25 per dog, or $100 for a team of four dogs. Participants are asked to walk one dog per person and to keep their animals leashed.
Sponsorships are also available at the $250 Bandana & Water Sponsor level and $500 Top Dog Sponsor level. All contributions are tax deductible and benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Kaua‘i.
Vendors at the walk include Whiskers Resort, Solid Gold Dog food, Dog Fanciers, Bark A Roo Bakery and more. Refreshments will be served following the walk.
For more information and to be a Top Dog, contact the American Cancer Society at (808) 246-0695; Rask at (808) 652-6114 or via email at hawaiidogtrainer@hotmail.com. Registration is available at the event.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@thegardenisland.com.
