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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Linda and Steve Knox   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, July 6, 2008 Mill Creek footrace to aid cancer fight close to home By Julie Muhlstein, Herald Columnist Run of the Mill, a summer tradition in Mill Creek, is nearly as old as the city itself. This summer, the 5-kilometer footrace has a brand new mission. For the first time since the run started in 1985 -- just two years after Mill Creek's incorporation -- all proceeds will help patients at Providence Regional Cancer Partnership in Everett. Money from the entry fees for the run, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, will be donated to the Linda Baltzell Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. The fund was founded by its namesake's family about 30 years ago through the Providence General Foundation. It assists about 100 cancer patients each year, said Christina Greene, the foundation's special events manager. "The fund is for patients dealing with medical bills, prescriptions, utilities, food costs. It's incredible," Greene said. Steve Knox, whose Mill Creek business Columbia Funding Mortgage began sponsoring the run in 2006, believes it's important to focus on local charities. For the past two years, Run of the Mill proceeds went to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a nonprofit which works to empower cancer patients and funds research and cancer prevention. "There are so many events for national causes, but people need to think locally," said Knox, a race organizer along with his wife, Linda Knox. "It's not just research, which is vital. This will go for immediate needs. Somebody's $15 entry fee is helping pay for things like transportation and rent." The Knoxes stepped in to save the race when the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, longtime sponsor of Run of the Mill, decided in 2006 that the event was outside of its mission. Until 2006, the run was not a charity fundraiser. Jean Hales, president of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, said the organization made some money from the event, but decided to turn it over to the community after 20 years, and to focus instead on business issues. "One of the things we saw happening in Mill Creek was the emergence of a community with heart and soul," Hales said. "We weren't leaving something that was broken. We worked with them. It was just time to step aside and let them do it." The chamber was so pleased with the run's new direction, Hales said, that last year it gave Knox's company a Business of Excellence award. More than 1,000 participants are expected for Saturday's run, from serious runners to casual walkers. Few of them may know or care about run sponsorship, but there's a personal side to the story. Caleb Knox, the Knoxes' 22-year-old son, is a member of the University of Washington's track and cross-country teams. Not only did Caleb fuel his father's interest in running, one of his former teammates is responsible for the event being a cancer fundraiser. In 2004, Husky runner Jon Hickey was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. Hickey, who was two years ahead of Caleb Knox at the UW, was treated with five rounds of grueling surgery on his scalp. "He ran for the Huskies and had a great career at the UW, placing in national and conference meets," Caleb Knox said. "Coming back from cancer, he struggled a little bit to get back into it. A really cool moment, in his last race as a Husky at Pac-10 championships, in the 1,600 (meter race), he scored a point for the team. It's a really competitive event." As a cancer survivor, Hickey organized fundraising runs in Eastern Washington, near his home in the Tri-Cities. When his teammate's parents took on Run of the Mill, Hickey jumped in with his expertise, ideas about helping the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and his runner friends from college to boost the competition. Linda Knox has her own reason for being involved. Like so many of our families, hers has been touched by cancer. "I lost my dad to cancer 20 years ago this August," she said. "My brother has successfully beaten thyroid cancer, and my sister is successfully being treated for cancer," she said. "Our goal is to donate $25,000 to that fund," she said, adding that in 2007 the run raised about $14,000 for the Armstrong foundation. "This will help with everything from medical expenses to child care and taxis." At Providence Everett Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Cheri Russum said the hospital is paying entry fees for all employees who join in the run. More than 90 hospital workers are already signed up, she said. "For some people with cancer treatment, life comes to a halt -- including their ability to earn money," said Russum. "Life goes on. All the bills keep coming, all the needs are still there." Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlstein@heraldnet.com. Mill Creek run Run of the Mill, a 5-kilometer footrace, starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Mill Creek Town Center. Registration is $20 ($15 plus a $5 fee for signing up after July 1). All proceeds will benefit a Providence General Foundation fund that helps cancer patients at the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership. For more information, go to [URL]www.mcrunofthemill.com.[/URL]

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