A total of $23,000 will be donated to these causes this year, and $170,000 has been donated since CFM took over the event 6 years ago. In reflecting upon the previous five years’ races, Steve added, “Sometimes we wonder if people just come to run the race or if they are as passionate about the charity aspect of the race as we are.” So this year the CFM staff made it a point to find out by asking participants what they care about. “We were surprised about the passion people had and the countless reasons for running, walking or donating, Steve said. “As we asked people to pose for photos with ‘I Care’, ‘We Care’, ‘They Care’ signs, we heard inspirational stories of cancer survivors and cancer fighters, groups running in memory of their friends and family members, volunteers who arrived at the crack of dawn, or others who just show up each year because they know 100% of race proceed are donated to local charities.”

Steve said that while Columbia Funding Mortgage might be the face of the Run of the Mill, it is important to note that more than a hundred volunteers, recruited by volunteer coordinator Liz Fredrickson make it happen on race day. The numerous high school track and cross country coaches who set up the race course, free of charge, are a key reason that The ROTM need not pay a race management company, which is why so much direct donation back to local charities is possible.

Sponsors for this year’s event included: Run 26, Outer Edge Cross Fit, Mill Creek Family Practice, Waste Management, AAA of Mill Creek, ING Financial Partners (Ian Civey and Mark Serafini), Laughing Buddha Yoga Studio, People’s Bank, Vertafore, Sayenko Design, La Palmera, Rock-n-RollRealtor.com (Louis Torres), Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, Columbia Athletic Club, Mill Creek Running and Multi-Sport Club, and Central Market.

Race Results can be found at www.mcrunofthemill.com and “We Care” race photos can be found at www.cfundingmortgage.com . To volunteer or sponsor next year’s Run of the Mill contact Steve Knox at stevek@cfundingmortgage.com

2010 Top Finishers



Male Participants


1.
Jordan McNamara
14:29


2.
Mike Sayenko
14:30


3.
Matt Sheeks
15:32


4.
Sean Sundwall
15:43


5.
Phil Olson
15:54


6.
Tony Young
16:08


7.
Joshua Ricardi
16:09


8.
David McCulloch
16:11


9.
Kevin McGinnis
16:49


10.
Bryton Reim
17:02


11.
Blake Nelson
17:22


12.
Ben Lance
17:23


13.
Derek Woolsey
17:23


14.
Colby Titland
17:26


15.
Kane Thomas
17:33






Female Participants


1.
Ruth Perkins
17:55


2.
Jackie Dikos
18:02


3.
Lauren Matthews
18:08


4.
Katie Bianchini
20:19


5.
Juliette Becker
20:43


6.
Gael Thomson
21:04


7.
Kris Maraveller
21:27


8.
Marousia Wright
21:27


9.
Cassie Behrendt
21:35


10.
Elise Tyler
22:03


11.
Lilah Melzer
22:05


12.
Melissa Stanley
22:20


13.
Shelly Davis
22:26


14.
Stephanie Moore
22:27


15.
Kathleen Gill
22:29

2008 Run of the Mill 5k Montage from Jon Hickey on Vimeo.

2006 Run of the Mill 5k Montage from Jon Hickey on Vimeo.

For people who already lack a comfortable financial cushion, a cancer diagnosis can be doubly devastating. Many patients have children, spouses or parents who rely on them financially; loss of income during treatment combined with unplanned medical expenses can cause excruciating anxiety.

The rest of the family also faces tremendous stress—fearing for their own security on top of their worry about their loved one’s health and survival. It can feel like a burden too heavy to bear.

Three decades ago, the family of Linda Baltzell, who died of cancer, generously contributed $100,000 to seed a cancer patient assistance fund in her name. They made the gift as a way of expressing their appreciation for the care Linda received and to honor her memory.

The fund, now known as the Linda Baltzell Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, has been a godsend for patients through the years, helping to pay for things such as medical needs, prescriptions, utilities, food and other critical expenses when the strain threatened to push families over the edge.

Although Providence offers a generous charity care program, some patients don’t meet the criteria for charity care but are still in need of some limited financial assistance. The Linda Baltzell Cancer Patient Assistance Fund can help fill in this gap as a safety net. It has been replenished annually through fundraising efforts and individual donations, but as the need has grown, the fund has been stretched beyond its limits.

When Linda’s fund was initiated more than 30 years ago, the population of Snohomish County was about 300,000. The population today is nearly 700,000 and the need for financial assistance among cancer patients has grown substantially.

The fund is administered by a committee of former patients, community advocates, financial services staff and Cancer Partnership and Foundation representatives. It has helped a wide variety of people in need.

Some recipients are retired people living on a fixed income. Many are younger but suddenly unable to work. Some have insurance, but lose coverage when their disease becomes debilitating. Often they are the family’s sole breadwinner, with kids at home and bills to pay, they spend as much time worrying about how their family will survive as they do about fighting their illness.
Sonya lives in a small home with three other family members. Her nephew Victor arranged for a local aid van to transport Sonya to and from her cancer treatments, but the driver couldn’t load her into the vehicle—the house had no ramp to accommodate Sonya’s wheelchair. While the family got a ramp installed, the fund paid for Sonya to stay a few nights in a hotel so she could get to her appointments.

Pat, whose husband’s disability thrust her into the role of lone earner for the family, was put out of commission by chemo treatments that knocked her off her feet. The family struggled to keep up financially. A grant from the fund paid a month’s rent and utilities, giving the family some breathing room while Pat finished treatment and regained her strength.

There are hundreds more stories of people like Sonya and Pat whose lives are touched by the Linda Baltzell Fund and those who support it.

Steve Knox was a recreational runner and had taken part in the Run of the Mill 5K on a few occasions.

When Knox heard that South Snohomish County was about to drop its involvement in the event, he didn’t want to let that happen.

“There was no longer anyone to plan and execute it,” said Knox, who lives in Mill Creek.

Knox took the matter into his own hands and talked to staff at Mill Creek. He wondered if he and his wife, Linda, volunteered, if the city would help.

“It’s the longest standing event in Mill Creek,” Knox said. “The city didn’t want to lose it.”

Knox and his wife are now organizers and race sponsors of the Run of the Mill 5K run and walk, which celebrated its 24th year July 11 at Mill Creek Town Center.

The charity run drew about 1,925 people, Knox said July 14.

“Proceeds go for patient assistance fund,” said Dave Brooks, chief executive of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. Since 2006, almost $100,000 has been given to the Linda Baltzell Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.

The race donates 100 percent of entry fees to the fund and no financial support is provided by the city of Mill Creek.

The fund helps patients receiving cancer treatment with everyday expenses including paying for transportation to clinical care, prescriptions, utility costs and everyday bills.

Brooks is also a participant in the Run of the Mill event. Last year, he walked the course and took his two children, ages 8 and 11, with him.

“We made it all the way around,” Brooks said. “It’s a blast.”

More than 150 Providence employees will run in the race, all wearing lime green shirts.

“It’s the color of the cancer program,” Brooks said.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is a sponsor of the event, as is Knox’s business, Columbia Funding Mortgage.

Although he works full time, Brooks devotes about 20 hours a week to volunteering for the annual event. Linda Knox is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week volunteer by the time January or February comes around.

“We do everything from coordinating permits, getting sponsors, marketing the race and getting certified with U.S. Track and Field,” Steve Knox said.

Runners, walkers, people with jogging strollers and even dogs are welcome to sign up for the race this weekend.

“Dogs this year will get a bandana,” Steve Knox said.

There are approximately 290 registrations still available with a maximum of 2,000 participants.

“At the end of the day, it’s supporting a great cause,” Steve Knox said.

Dogs can participate with (and under the control of) their owner for free. All dogs can check in at Paddywack before or after the race for a special bandana and treats. 1st three dogs to cross the finish line will get a special prize from Paddywack. All dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must be prepared to clean up after them.

Thanks Paddywack!