Run, walk, live strong

COEUR d'ALENE - Tiffany Moe is hoping that some day, there will be a cure for cancer.

Meantime, she wants everyone to run - or walk - in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday.

"Get registered, raise some money," Moe said.

The race chair of the 12th annual fun run said it's about more than money, though.

It's about people.

It's about education.

And it's about saving lives.

It's why, of the hundreds of races in the region, this is the one when Moe takes charge.

"It's very special," the Post Falls woman said.

And it would be very nice if thousands more signed up to run the 5K that begins at 10 a.m., or the one-mile that goes at 10:10 at North Idaho College.

So far, about 1,300 people have registered, off last year's race when nearly 3,000 participated.

Moe would love to see more on board to help reach their goal of $100,000.

It costs $25 for adults, $15 for kids under 12, to register until Thursday, then another $10 each after that.

With the weather cooperating - the forecast is for 80s on Sunday, it promises to be a good day of running or walking, visiting with friends and meeting cancer survivors.

The 34-year-old has heard some touching, personal stories of those who beat cancer, and stories of those who didn't.

Her mother, Nancy Beamis, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, following her first mammogram

"It saved her life," Moe said.

It was then she decided to "do everything in my power to help find the cures."

One person, she believes, can make a difference.

"I'll do whatever I can," she said.

Moe, who was also the race chair last year, was volunteer chair two years prior. Being race chair is fun, but a lot of work, she said. There's constant back and forth of emails, text messages and phone calls to collect the race permits, find sponsors, and recruit volunteers.

This is where family comes in handy.

Her parents and sister volunteer, and her son, Kody, 7, came up with the winning T-shirt design for the Kids for the Cure.

"I pulled them all in there," she said.

Along with Sunday's race, there will be an expo and a survivors' brunch.

To kick off the Race for a Cure in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Paddy's Sports Bar will host the "Breast Fest" on Friday, with proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Kootenai Cancer Center.

There will be bingo, darts, prizes, silent auction and food and drink specials.

The Carper family - siblings Chris, Melisa and father Pat - are owners of Paddy's Sports Bar. The family formed the Race for the Cure team 'For Love of Kitty' and organized the fundraiser as a tribute to the memory of their wife/mother.

Katherine Carper's longtime battle with breast cancer sparked a commitment from her friends and family to support organizations like the Kootenai Cancer Center that supported her throughout her illness.

To register, go to www.Komencda.org