Weekend fundraisers battle suicide, cancer

COEUR d'ALENE - A little bit of exercise can help save lives this weekend.

Folks can strap on their tennis shoes for suicide awareness at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the third annual Save the One Memorial Walk.

The 3.8-mile walk, starting at O'Shays Irish Pub and Eatery at 313 E. Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive in Coeur d'Alene, aims at both educating the public on warning signs of suicide and helping individuals cope if they have lost someone.

"It's necessary because suicide is a preventable form of death, most of the time," said Karen Petit, a Coeur d'Alene volunteer for SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network) that is holding the event. "Most definitely we want people to know there is support for someone who has lost someone to suicide."

There will be educational materials at the event on suicide prevention, as well as suicide survivor support groups.

Idaho is usually in the top 10 states for suicides, Petit added.

The walk is free, though $10 donations are welcome. All proceeds will go toward programs in North Idaho for education, awareness and support.

Those who donate will receive a T-shirt.

Folks can register and donate online at www.spanidaho.org. They can also register at 9 a.m. at O'Shays.

It's not the only chance this weekend to support life.

Sunday marks the 11th annual Komen Coeur d'Alene Race for the Cure at North Idaho College to raise awareness of breast cancer.

The event includes a timed 5K run and walk at 10 a.m., followed by a recreational 1-mile walk at 10:10 a.m.

There will also be educational booths on breast cancer provided by groups like Panhandle Health District and Kootenai Cancer Center.

"It's really fun, it's really educational. There's a lot of stuff to see," said event Chair Tiffany Moe.

Registration is $20 if done online before midnight Thursday. After that, the price goes up to $35.

Seventy-five percent of proceeds stay in the five northern counties to provide breast cancer health research, diagnostics, screening and treatment for uninsured or underinsured women.

The rest goes toward national cancer research.

"This does things like help fund mammograms, helps women with their bills," Moe said.

Folks can register online at www.komencda.org, or at the event at 8 a.m.