PORT ANGELES — Gary Johnson’s vision for a Port Angeles walk-a-thon to benefit prostate cancer research is three days from coming to fruition.
Johnson, a longtime Safeway employee, and his managers at the Lincoln Street store have organized a 24-hour relay at the Port Angeles High School track Saturday and Sunday.
The inaugural Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon will begin with opening ceremonies and a survivors’ lap Saturday at 9 a.m.
“We would like to have any or all of them [prostate cancer survivors] that would like to show up and be a part of that lap,” Johnson said.
More than 150 have already signed up for the walk-a-thon, which was modeled after the successful Relay For Life campaign, to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The Prostate Cancer Society donated 10 autographed baseballs signed by major league players for Safeway to auction at its store at 110 E. Third St., where some 20 businesses have paid $100 each to have Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon banners that hang over the aisles.
“The overall support from the community has been amazing,” said Johnson, a 32-year Safeway employee who plans to retire at the end of this year.
“It’s getting to the point where it makes me extremely proud to even be a part of this community.”
All proceeds from the walk-a-thon and the baseball auction will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The top fundraiser at the walk-a-thon will win a overnight stay in Victoria, Johnson said.
Prostate cancer survivors will pause for a moment of silence at the end of the survivors’ lap to remember those who lost their battle with all forms of cancer.
The ceremonies will feature the singing of the national anthem, a color guard and the playing of “Amazing Grace” on a bagpipe.
Teams of 10 walkers will then take turns circling the quarter-mile track for 24 hours.
The cost to enter the walk-a-thon is $10 per person. Individuals can show up and walk as many laps as they want.
Same-day registration will be held at the track beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Johnson said he hopes the fundraiser will shed more light on prostate cancer, which will affect one in six men.
“Prostate cancer has been one of these things that has been kind of hidden,” Johnson said.
“It’s a man thing, you know. We just kind of sit in the shadows. We don’t want to talk about something like that. But it’s so important.”
Johnson hopes to strike a balance between prostate cancer awareness and the awareness of women’s cancers.
“They’re equally important,” Johnson said.
“Cancer is cancer.”
Although he is not a cancer survivor himself, Johnson has been affected by the disease.
His wife, Dana, is a cancer survivor. He lost his best friend to cancer when he was 18.
“This is basically a Relay For Life but for prostate cancer in particular,” said Safeway Assistant Manager Jason Ostrand, who is helping Johnson organize the relay.
“It’s going to be a huge event.”
Ostrand said the basic idea is for teams and individuals to collect pledges, perhaps a nickle per lap, and have fun.
“It’s great idea,” Ostrand said.
“We’ve never done anything like that here that I know of in recent history,” Ostrand said.
“We’ve done two walks in the Sequim store that I was a part of, but there was never a 24-hour walk-a-thon.
“He [Johnson] just kind of took the ball and ran with it.”
The Prostate Cancer Foundation donated 60 cancer-themed cookbooks to the Safeway branch. The books are available for a $15 donation.
“Some of our own employees stepped up and said, ‘Hey, I want to help,’” Ostrand said.
“So one of our checkers donated his Cal Ripken Jr. baseball.”
Other baseballs being auctioned were signed by all-stars such as David Ortiz, Chipper Jones, Lance Berkman, Paul Konerko and former Seattle Mariners Dan Wilson and Richie Sexton.
The Safeway branch has raised close to half of its $16,200 goal for June for prostate cancer research.
Safeway and its customers have raised money for prostate cancer research and other important causes for years.
“The overwhelming support from the community has been just awesome,” Ostrand said.
“And it all goes to Gary from just knowing pretty much everybody in town.”
Johnson said some of the high school students who call him “Safeway dad” have offered to volunteer at the walk-a-thon.
“To me, it’s really kind of cool,” he said.
To sign up for the Prostate Cancer Walk-A-Thon or to volunteer, phone the Lincoln Street Safeway store at 360-457-0788.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com
