Angel Wings 14th annual walk/run coming up

Committed to assisting cancer patients in rural southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon, Weiser’s Angel Wings Network’s 2025 14th Annual Walk/Run is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at 10 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. at Weiser City Park.

 “It’s a 5k or one mile walk or run,” Angel Wings Program and Development Coordinator Carie Lawrence told the Signal American. “We have a number of vendors committed, and we’re shooting for 10 to 15.”

 Lawrence said the event’s four major donors are St. Luke’s Medical Center and Rogue Credit Union at $1,000 each, and the LOR Foundation and Columbia Bank for $500 apiece.

 A recent addition to the vendor line-up is St. Alphonsus’ Mobile Mammography unit, arranged for the event by Southwest District Health.

 “For people who do not have insurance, Southwest District Health offers a couple of programs based on income and women could potentially get a mammogram free of charge,” Lawrence said. “The bus will operate on a first come, first served basis that day, and a preapproval through SWDH is needed for free services. Those covered by insurance can also access the service that day and only need to have their insurance cards with them.

 “We’ll have a silent auction like we always do, and we’re adding a couple of raffles,” Lawrence said. “Our goal is to raise $40,000 total this year, which is about $15,000 more than last year, so this is a big goal.

 “We’ll also have a bunch of free raffles for cancer survivors in the Survivor’s Tent,” she said.

 The event planners are challenging businesses and organizations to gather large teams for the run and walk.

 “There will be prizes for the best dressed team, the largest team, the oldest walker, the farthest traveler, the best dressed pet, and the fastest finisher,” Lawrence said. “ROSE Advocates has won the largest team the last two years. But, for those who don’t want to walk, there will be plenty to do at the park during the race, which will start at 11:30 a.m.

 “New this year, too, we’re going to have a cornhole tournament,” she added. “It’s $20 per two-person team, and the winners will take home half of the pot.”

 Lawrence said they are anticipating a large number of cancer survivors and former clients.

 “We always encourage current clients to come, but sometimes they just aren’t feeling good,” she said. “But, a lot of family members will come on their behalf, and we hope they will.”

 After participating in the 2025 Flock Cancer Street Stroll in early May, Angel Wings Network learned they would receive $30,000 of the funds raised at the event.

 “It’s so awesome,” Lawrence said. “We took a team of about a dozen of our volunteers over, and they surprised us with $30,000. It’s amazing. We’ve been getting bigger every year, and we have been averaging at least one new client per day, so the financial assistance is so appreciated.”