 |
 |
 |
||
|
||||
|
Apr. 25, 2008
Death Valley Walk for Life is May 4-5
By CHRISSY OHLINGER
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. -- Thirteen years ago, Sharon Funck went for a walk and took the entire community of Furnace Creek with her on an unforgettable journey of community spirit that continues every year. Sunday and Monday, May 4 and 5, Funck, fellow residents and visitors to Death Valley National Park will set off on the annual Death Valley Walk for Life; a two day, 25-mile journey from Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells in support of cancer victims who live and work within the park. This year the group was incorporated for the first time into a formal, nonprofit entity. In 1995, when Funck first started walking in the desert to overcome her fear of sleeping alone. She left water and a sleeping bag where she thought she would spend the night and then set out on foot from Furnace Creek. She planned to sleep so far isolated in the desert that she could not get back no matter how scared she became. "The desert is spiritual and healing. I just love to be in the desert. The first coyote or scorpion or something, I would just pack up," said Funck, "I was disappointed in myself every time I packed up and went home." She faced her fear every year on the same personal pilgrimage until 2005 when she was diagnosed with cancer. That year, the walk took on a profound significance for herself and for those around her. Because she was in the hospital that May and could not walk the 25 miles, six of her friends and family walked in her place, so the tradition would remain uninterrupted. The next year Funck was back on track, but 19 members of the community took on the cause of walking the route for those who could not because of their illness, and in 2007, 31 people asked to walk with her. The Death Valley Walk for Life is a very special spiritual and emotional journey for those who participate. Temperatures often soar to over 110 degrees and participants take turns carrying a rice paper scroll with names of friends and family whose lives have been touched by cancer. Some are survivors who are walking, others are names of family members or friends who are remembered and celebrated over the two day course. At the end of the final day there is a candlelight ceremony. "The desert is a great metaphor" said participant Paul Taylor, "The desert is where people go for cleansing and to discover spirituality, death, and to find God. The walk is a metaphor in itself. You go and face death and come out the other side and you have hope." In the past, the organization has helped pay for Death Valley's cancer victim's medical or living expenses while ill. It has helped community members with gas money to go to Las Vegas for treatment and paid one person's insurance while he was ill so his coverage would continue uninterrupted. When a person becomes ill, many unforeseen debts can accrue. The organization can help with those that are urgent. Any unused funds at the end of the year will be donated to the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser costs $30 to participate and includes registration and a bag that includes a T-shirt, water bottle, sunscreen, a logo pen, lanyard and washcloth, all of which is donated. Furnace Creek managers and Xanterra Resorts are very supportive. Dominic Lenz, the general manager of the property not only walks, but provides food at the barbecue at the end of the second day. Death Valley Natural History Society and the Park itself have also been very generous. Plenty of technical support makes the event safe and accessible for everyone. Last year the youngest walker was Zachary Lumpkin, 6-years-old, while the eldest walker was 71. Three different roving vehicles offer support and can pick up anyone having trouble. "It doesn't matter how much you walk. Walk a mile and go home or do the whole thing. We don't care. You're still invited," says Barbara Kroenke, vice president. To find out more or to register, visit www.deathvalleywalkforlife.org |
|
