Pink-clad “walkers for the cure” entered the Seattle Center grounds on Sunday as they completed their last few steps of a three-day, sixty-mile trek, raising nearly six and a half million dollars. Cheered on by thousands of supporters, wearing shirts emblazoned with the names of cancer survivors and in memory of those who had lost their battle.
Among the throng was a Shorecrest senior named Ellie Soderberg. Needing a chaperon to meet the age requirement, she was welcomed to the “Original in Pink” team of Randy and Ron Ganges, four-year veteran walkers. Randy is a teacher at Lake Forest Park Elementary, and others from the school joined in the walk also.
Ellie’s motivation to give up her vacation to train and raise money, came from a need to support classmates who had lost their moms to cancer. Concerns about her ability to meet the entry fee dissipated as she was encouraged by family and friends.
“It is not in my nature to ask people for money” she said, but she prevailed with the help of her excellent boyfriend and his family, who were with her every step of the way. For distance training she was coached by her mom, Kathy, who walked with her, encouraging her along the way. Ellie’s enthusiasm never wavered. As she walked with her peers into the Memorial Stadium, welcomed by the thunderous roar that greeted them, she left with a lifetime of memories and stories to share. To all the men and women in pink, thank you for caring. God bless you all!
Her immediate family remains cancer free and Ellie wants to keep it that way!
Shirley Kranda
Mountlake Terrace
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