Walking for a Cause

For ten years, the citizens of Mount Pleasant have come together once a year to walk as one to help fight a dangerous disease. This year was no different.

The 10th annual benefit cancer awareness walk, “Into The Light,” took place on Friday in Island Park from 3 to 11 p.m. The night was filled with celebration, music, clowns and food donated by many local businesses, including Bennigans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pixie and many more.

Participants may have been stuffed from all the food, but that promoted more walking on the track, lit by more than 1,500 luminaries. The luminaries are sold to honor someone who has passed away from cancer or is a survivor.

Some participants were attending their first walk.

“I’ve never been to the walk here in Mount Pleasant,” said Annette Bontumasi, an eight-year breast cancer survivor from Bay City. “I usually get a team together for the Relay for Life in Bay City, but I wanted to come out and support other events fighting for the awareness of cancer.”

Many residents and students come out to fight for such a great cause, especially since the money raised is kept in Isabella County.

“My dad passed away from cancer and I’ve always enjoyed these walks,” said Travis Manning, a CMU student from Wayne. “It’s an emotional walk going around that track, but knowing that the money raised is helping such a great cause makes it well worth it.”

The environment is something that people don’t get to enjoy very often.

“It was great being around other survivors and how they can relate to my story,” said Bontumasi. “I want to thank the organizers for helping bring light to cancer. It’s a disease that affects so many people and needs the help in fighting this disease.”

No numbers have been announced as of how much money was raised at this year’s event, but by the looks of the events on Friday, it’s yet another success.