Bridge to a Cure kicks off May 5

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Hastings’ 15th annual Bridge to a Cure, the community's effort to fight cancer, remember those who have died from the disease, and those who have survived the disease, will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Hastings High School, 200 General Sieben Drive.

The team registration and kick-off event will be held Tuesday, May 5, at the Green Mill Restaurant, 909 Vermillion St. The event will feature two additional opportunities for people to contribute to the fight against cancer.

Inver Grove Volkswagen will sponsor a “ride and drive” program from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For each test drive taken by licensed drivers, the dealership will contribute $15 (up to $500) to the American Cancer Society.

Green Mill will donate a portion of the day's receipts to the American Cancer Society.

Team registration will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the restaurant, according to planning committee member Karen Moore. Team captains should bring their team registration forms and $100 team registration fee to be officially registered.

Angie McGinnis and Linda Kampa, co-chairs of this year's Bridge to a Cure, said the committee is excited about reaching the $1 million mark, cumulative from the previous years.

“Thanks to the efforts of teams and individuals over the past 14 years, we’re poised to hit the million-dollar milestone,” McGinnis said.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Hastings Bridge to a Cure is a team event that raises money for cancer education, services, and research locally, regionally and nationally.

“This is a special event that celebrates the lives of cancer survivors and honors the memories of those who have died from cancer,” McGinnis said.

“Each of us has been touched by cancer,” Moore said.

The cancer survivors always walk the first lap of the evening, shortly after 6 p.m. The Bridge to a Cure event consists of teams of interested people walking on a designated trail or walkway for a designated number of hours in support of people who have fought cancer.

The evening concludes with the lighting of hundreds of luminaries. People will be able to purchase them this summer as the event nears. There is always music provided by Jay Kochendorfer, children's activities and food.

Corporate sponsors for this year's event, those who pay the overhead costs for the event, are Smead Manufacturing Co. and The Power Within Chiropractic. Additional corporate sponsors are being sought.

For more information about the event or opportunities to become involved, contact McGinnis at 480-8370 or Linda Kampa at 437-6218.

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