Thousands Run, Walk in Bend to Say: Heaven Can Wait

More than 3,700 people of all ages gathered at Drake Park in Bend Sunday for the 13th annual Heaven Can Wait 5K walk and run.

Men and women of all ages showed support for the fight against cancer by running or walking for heroes who have survived and loved ones they have lost.

Parents ran for their children taken too soon by cancer. Daughters ran for their mothers and fathers, and groups for their co-workers and friends.

For some runners, this cause hits close to home.

More than 400 cancer survivors wore blue denim hats at Sunday?s event, showing they fought cancer and won. Many of them said it was an extremely emotional run, but that this event truly shows that no one fights cancer alone.

All the proceeds from Heaven Can Wait will benefit Sarah?s Project, a breast health education and outreach partnership created by St. Charles Cancer Center.

?Most of the money is used for non-clinical types of support for our patients,? said Allison McCormick, senior director of the cancer center at St. Charles Medical Center-Bend. ?Whether that be food carts, whether that end up being utility payments for those who are having problems financially.?

Since the Bend race’s start in 2000, it has raised more than $900,000. Founder Charlene Levesque says she believes Heaven Can Wait will be able to reach the $1 million mark by next year.