Ronda Ghosn wrote -
My story began in July 2011 when Tyler was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. Upon completion of treatment and recovery from a major leg surgery; in March 2012 Tyler began his new normal-now a cancer survivor at the age of 13. During that time he organized a team Running Your Leg Off to raise money for Ewing Sarcoma. August 2014 we found out Tyler's cancer returned and he passed away March 19, 2015. In his honor, his cousin was a team captain for Relay for Life for 3 years and his team Running Your Leg Off continued.
I am creating a team to continue Tyler's legacy in helping find a cure for all cancer. Valley Girls and Guys formed a cancer-fighting 501c3 non-profit where the money raised will be donated back in Tyler's community, Seattle Children's Hospital, plus other areas-see below.
Tyler's strength, courage, and never- ending persistence will guide me during BE THE HOPE walk
I would be honored for you to join my team: Running Your Leg Off or if you can't any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Join TODAY and be a part of the inaugural Be The Hope Walk in Maple Valley, WA on July 20, 2019!
Presented by Valley Girls & Guys! Our goal is 100% of the proceeds raised will be donated to Valley Girls & Guys, thanks to our generous sponsors.
One Day - One Big LOCAL Impact - Be The Hope
The Event:
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019. TWO OPTIONS to be a part of MAPLE VALLEY HISTORY!
Walk 18 MILES with a fundraising commitment of $1800.00. Join a Team, Start a Team or Walk Independently. 18 miles represents the statistic that 1 in 8 will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime (our roots). OR
1.8 MILE Walk for those undergoing treatment, family members, supporters, EVERYONE aged toddler – 100+ yrs of age! Join a Team, Start a Team or Walk Independently- Fundraising Commitment - $180.00 per walker.
The Route is set. We will be making our way through beautiful Maple Valley with rest stops, medic stations and break points in and around Lake Wilderness Park, Summit Park and even the MV Farmer’s Market!
The CELEBRATION:
After the walk, STAY AND PLAY. We will celebrate w/ live music, beer & wine gardens, food trucks, vendors and a closing ceremony you will not forget! All participants (in either walk) receive a shirt and a keepsake souvenir.
The Beginning:
Valley Girls & Guys formed a cancer-fighting 501c3 non-profit in 2014 and opened a cancer resource center (The Who House) that same year. The organization supports patients of ALL cancers through signature programs such as providing personalized blankets to those undergoing cancer treatment, granting scholarships to local high school seniors, assisting under/uninsured men and women with mammograms, and granting “Who Dreams” to those with a terminal diagnosis. The Valley Girls & Guys originated as a Susan G. Komen 3day team in 2007 and through their ten-year involvement, they raised over 3.3 million dollars to fight breast cancer globally. Now the focus is local treatment, local research, and local assistance.
The Here and Now:
In January 2018, Valley Girls & Guys made a targeted $100,000.00 donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital making it possible for ten (10) children to be the first ever recipients of a Solid Tumor Immunotherapy clinical trial. This donation was made in honor of our very own Hunter Coffman from Maple Valley.
By March 2018, Valley Girls and Guys committed $500,000.00 over the next five years, to Valley Medical Center/UW Med Center in Renton WA. These funds will be (and already have been) used to purchase and provide state of the art technology for the current cancer clinic and to expand and add cancer services at the new Comprehensive Cancer Center which is currently under construction.
