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MOMS To Run For Their Lives

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

VALRICO - They are crazy-busy raising children and running households, but a group of multitasking, stay-at-home moms will take time next month to run for the lives of others.

The Valrico/Bloomingdale chapter of MOMS, Moms Offering Moms Support, on March 1 will host Run For Your Life ... Or Someone Else's, a 5K run/walk fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

International MOMS clubs support mothers who choose to stay home with their children rather than pursue full-time, outside employment. Local chapters meet weekly to socialize, build friendships and organize community service projects.

The Valrico/Bloomingdale chapter focuses its fundraising efforts on projects that benefit cancer research and patient support. In addition to the 5K race, the club next month will participate for the fifth consecutive year in the American Cancer Society's annual international fundraiser, Relay For Life.

The 5K race was intended to kick off fundraising efforts for the group's Relay For Life team, like last year's casino night and silent auction held at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk Ranch, which netted $14,500 for the cancer society.

Club member Sarah Woodyer, who is organizing the 5K, said that in one way or another, cancer has affected nearly every MOMS member.

"We participate in all these activities for those who are fighting the battle, for those who have lost the battle, and so that one day there may not be a battle," Woodyer said.

Participants will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot at the South Brandon Little League complex at Bloomingdale Avenue and Culbreath Road. The race will start at 8 a.m., with racers heading south to the end of Culbreath Road. Then they will do an about-face and head back to the Little League complex for a total distance of about 3.1 miles.

Organizers anticipate some runners will finish the race in about 20 minutes, and the last of the walkers should make it back to the finish line in less than an hour.

An after-party at the Little League complex will feature live music, food concessions and games and activities for children. Awards will be given to first finishers in several categories, with special kudos for cancer survivors who finish.

Kate Graves, a 74-year-old Brandon woman who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002, will walk the 5K with a group of friends who work out together at the Curves fitness club on Lithia-Pinecrest Road.

Graves recently received good news from her doctors - she hit the 5-year remission mark, which officially puts her in the "survivor" category. She said she will walk the 5K to celebrate her survivorship and encourage early detection.

"I like to get on my nice little soapbox anytime I can to tell people, 'Go get your colonoscopy as soon as your doctor recommends it,'" she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Run For Your Life ... Or Someone Else's, MOMS Club of Valrico/Bloomingdale 5K run/walk to benefit the American Cancer Society
WHEN: Race-day registration starts 7:30 a.m.; race begins 8 a.m.

WHERE: South Brandon Little League complex, Bloomingdale Avenue at Culbreath Road, Valrico

COST: $20 before March 1 or $25 on race day. The first 200 registered participants will receive a custom race packet and T-shirt.

INFO: Contact Sarah Woodyer at (813) 685-1690 or woodyer1@gmail.com. To register online, go to www.active.com and type "MOMS Club of Valrico/Bloomingdale" in the search box.

SPONSORSHIP INFO: Contact Amy Peerless at (813) 657-0404 or apeerless@hotmail.com

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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