If you’re not familiar with ‘Relay for Life,’ it’s an annual event that raises money to help fight cancer. The walk will take place at Mt. Rainier high school on June 9th and 10th, and it’s a fun family-friendly event for a good cause. Participants raise funds for the American Cancer Society, and gather as a community to fight back against cancer.

And for early birds – you can get 50% off of your team registration fee if you register by Jan. 29th! THIS MEANS REGISTRATION IS $50 INSTEAD OF $100!

“So come ready to Sign Up and Kick Some Cancer Butt!” reads an announcement.

HiLine Lanes is located at 15733 Ambaum Blvd. SW (Phone: 206-244-2272).

If you would like to sign up now you can go to this link!:

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12GW?fr_id=38301&pg=entry

I spotted the words written with crooked vinyl letters in a giant picture window of a ramshackle house. Those two words that not only caught my attention, but commandeered my thought processes.

Displayed proudly in a house that had seen better days, decorated haphazardly for the season, they invoked the magic of hope. The house and those who lived within its walls seemed to challenge the status quo while demonstrating that what they already had was, at least on some level; working for them. It was humble. The driveway was half gravel, half weeds. Cars were parked askew, and with no particular order. The paint was weathered in some spots, bare in others, and the lawn (such as it was) was dead. The entire viewable property announced a lack of regular maintenance, and an absence of a Homeowners Association (Bless them!) But in the midst of all the imperfection was unmistakable celebration.

The festooned twinkly lights were uneven and dangling precariously in a couple of spots, as if the lightest breeze could take them all out. The Christmas tree was prominent, and enthusiastically adorned with tinsel. Lots of tinsel. Tinsel that would at any other time, be sufficient to use as reflective markings for the third runway at SeaTac Airport. The visual assault was unmistakable. These folks were ready for Christmas, and they were not afraid. They were prepared to ask for and receive abundance, and in the meantime  stayed steadfastly grounded in the reality of their surroundings. They inspired me. Their words triggered an unexpected mental analysis. For the rest of the day and well into the night I pondered the implication of that brief missive: Wish Big. What was my wish? Should I even be wishing for myself? How big is “Big?” Are we talking monetarily, or otherworldly? I have already been blessed with more than I deserve: a home, a healthy loving family, a job that I love, supportive friends…the list goes on. Sure, this year has had its share of ups and downs, but whose hasn’t? Where do I get off wishing for anything? But if I dared to, how ‘Big’ would I wish…?

• World Peace. Hmm besides being cliché, it’s terribly unrealistic. If I could wish for and achieve peace on any level, it would be for my teenagers. Siblings still living together are fighting factions under parental governance. Yet, there is seldom an agreeable treaty, and almost never any honoring of a cease-fire.  I need to get it local before I can go Global. Wishing for it anyway.

• A Cure. Whether cancer, AIDS, or (insert another disease or disorder here); I wish that we as humans did not have suffering. That ought to just be a  given. No pain, no agony, no hurt. With the exception of gas and hangovers; because both serve as reminders for us not to overindulge. Wishing for it anyway.

• Love. I am very fortunate to have found it with the person whom I share my life, and also with so many friends and family. It is a reassurance to me when I feel sadness or self doubt. No matter what sucky thing may happen, I know…I know…that I am loved. Not everyone experiences this. Wishing for it anyway.

As for anything else…I’ll keep an open mind…right alongside an open spot on my Big Wish List.

As for everyone else I wish you a wealth of Wishing Big!!

Numerous friends, family members and even total strangers have joined together to help Kiera Sutton, a Burien native, “kick cancer’s ass” at a fundraiser dinner/auction this coming Sunday, Sept. 25th (full event details here).

Kiera is fighting thyroid cancer, and friends and family are rallying to help pay her medical bills/living expenses while she works through this challenging time. The stated goal on a fundraiser website is $40,000, and as of Monday, Sept. 19th, $3,100 has been raised.

The fundraiser will take place from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 25th at ‘A Terrible Beauty’ Irish pub, located at 201 Williams Ave South in Renton. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20 per person, which includes a Spaghetti Dinner with salad, French bread, a non-alcoholic beverage, and a raffle ticket that will be put into a drawing for a prize. For an additional $5 guests will also receive a rubber cause bracelet designed by Kiera.

Organizers are also seeking donations for the event – click here to learn how you can help.

If you can’t make the event but still want to donate to Kiera’s cause online, click here.

Here’s more info on Kiera from her sister, Tristen Sutton, a hair stylist at BTB Advertiser Serenza Salon:

Kiera Sutton was born and raised right here in Burien, WA. She is a fourth generation Highline High School graduate (class of 2002!), got her Associates degree from Highline Community College, and even played for the Thunderbirds women’s soccer team. On any given day you can find her grazing the stalls at the Burien Farmer’s Market, hanging out with friends at The Tin Room, or enjoying the view along Seahurst Beach. Her sisters, Destinee and Tristen Sutton, also live and serve in the community. Destinee is a children’s librarian at the Burien Library and Tristen, a hair stylist at Burien’s own Serenza Salon.

Kiera was first diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in 2009 and was thankful to hear she was in remission later that June. However, this summer she found out the cancer had not only returned but spread to her lymph nodes as well. In true Kiera fashion, she has faced this trial with strength, courage, and an optimism that continues to inspire those around her. She is overwhelmed by the support she’s received thus far from the Burien community and would like to send thanks to her family, friends and the Burien businesses who continue to amaze her with their generosity.

Here’s more from a Facebook Event Page:

You are invited to our first fundraiser to help Kiera Kick Cancer’s Ass!!! All proceeds of this dinner and auction are going to help pay her medical bills/living expenses while she works through this challenging time, please come and help support a wonderful person!

The Details:
Tickets will be sold at the door for $20.00 a person, that amount includes a Spaghetti Dinner with salad, French bread, and a non-alcoholic beverage, and a raffle ticket that will be put into a drawing for a prize. For an additional $5.00 you will also receive a rubber cause bracelet designed by Kiera!

A lot of the details are still coming together, so I will update as soon as we get them, also, RSVPs are going to be VERY important so we know how many people to accommodate so please, please, please let us know if you are coming and how many people you are bringing with you, I’m also going to do a poll to see how many vegetarians and gluten free people we need to accommodate for the dinner!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHVlTFg1eGZuN1pIOHA1VnFoN0xWSEE6MQ (you can click on the link to check which kind of sauce you would like for your spaghetti)

Side Note: If you cannot afford the admission fee please message one of us, from the Sutton family, and we will make accommodations for you, we really want everyone to be able to participate!

You can read Kiera’s first-hand journal of what it’s like to be ‘kicking cancer’s ass’ at her blog here; here are some excerpts:

So, anyway, here I am back in Cancer World, trying to figure all this crap out. I think I’ve lost the pep in my step, but I’m mad as hell, so I’m hoping that might work in my favor. I’m going to start interviewing local surgeons who specialize in the type of surgery I need.

This surgery will come with a lot of risks, especially since it’s my second time around, and if I don’t find a surgeon I have complete trust in, I don’t think I’ll do it. If anyone has any suggestions or just happens to know an awesome neck surgeon, let me know.

For now, I’m just hanging low. Sorry if I haven’t gotten back to everyone (or anyone for that matter), but I’m a bit emotionally exhausted and have been trying to talk about cancer as little as possible. I am thankful for each and everyone of you reading this blog right now though.

A special thanks to the best mom in the world. There are no words to express my gratitude for you and all that you have put up with from me and this diagnosis. You are the strongest person I know.

You have all been so amazing and have given me more than enough courage to take on round 2 of my battle with cancer. In a way, I feel lucky to have been given an opportunity to see my life as it truly is: full of love and possibilities. Cancer will come and go, but the lessons I’ve learned and will continue to learn throughout this experience, makes it worth every second. Love and thanks to each and every one of you.

BTB Advertiser Burien Digestive Health Center wants our Readers to know about colon cancer screening, so as we do with all our Advertisers, we’re allowing them a forum to share their information:

It is time for The B-Town Blog to talk about colon cancer screening, an important part of health screening. Many people out of concern over the process avoid this necessary and important test. This article should allay most of those concerns.

Generally a colonoscopy done by a gastroenterologist is recommended as the best approach to colorectal cancer screening. A colonoscopy is a test where a slender plastic tube with a camera on the end is inserted through the anus and advanced throughout the entire colon. This is done under sedation so it is almost always painless. Many people feel the preparation before hand is the worst part, but over the years these preparations have become quite a bit easier and well tolerated. While the process is not fun it has become relatively easy for the patient.

People tend to snicker at the whole idea of a colonoscopy. While a colonoscopy and the important information this simple test provides are critical to health maintenance, there is room for some humor. I want to share with you what some pretty clever patients have been known to say about this procedure.  One man asked at the time of his colonoscopy for a note to give to his wife stating that, in fact, his head was not up there.  Another patient once asked if his dignity could be found during the procedure. And a third commented, after having had a colonoscopy, that he now knew how a Muppet felt.  All joking aside, the most important thing to remember is that colon cancer screening easily, painlessly, and effectively saves countless lives every year.

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that develops in the large intestine [colon] or rectum. The primary goal of colon cancer screening is to help identify colon polyps and cancers at an early and very treatable stage thereby preventing deaths from colon cancer.

All adults should undergo colon cancer screening beginning at age 50 or earlier.  Someone’s individual risk factors for developing colorectal cancer, such as family history or life style, will help the physician determine at what age a patient should begin to have the procedure performed.

When the gastroenterologist performs the colon cancer screening tests he/she is looking for any abnormalities such as polyps or early stage cancers. Regular screening for and removal of polyps reduces your risk of developing colorectal cancer – by more than 90 percent. Nearly half of colon cancers are fatal if not detected early. During a colonoscopy a gastroenterologist may detect an early stage cancer already present in the colon and by doing so increase the chances of successful treatment and in turn decrease the chance of dying as a result of the cancer.

There are several factors that increase an individual’s risk of developing colorectal cancer and mandate earlier and more frequent screening.

Dr. C. Michael Kramer Jr. of Burien Digestive Health Center.

A positive family history of colorectal cancer is a common risk factor. If a close family member, a first or second-degree relative, has had colorectal cancer colorectal cancer this could increase your risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 30%.

Another very important and common risk factor is a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. People who have previously had colorectal cancer have a significantly increased risk of developing a new colorectal cancer or polyp.

Several lifestyle factors increase the risk of colorectal cancer, including:

• A diet low in fiber and high in fat and meat.
• A sedentary lifestyle.
• Cigarette smoking.

There are several tests available for colorectal cancer screening.  These include tests that can detect cancers at an early treatable stage and tests that can also detect pre-cancerous polyps (also called adenomas), which can lead to cancer prevention. Simply removing the polyp at the time of colonoscopy eliminates that polyp from ever becoming cancer.

Guidelines from expert groups recommend that the best options to consider for colorectal cancer screening are colonoscopy every 10 years or a flexible sigmoidoscopy with barium enema every 5 years.  People with an average risk of colorectal cancer should begin screening at age 50.

People with a higher risk of colorectal cancer should begin screening at an earlier age. One of the following screening strategies is recommended:

• People who have one first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps at a young age (before the age of 60 years), or two first-degree relatives diagnosed at any age, should begin screening for colon cancer earlier, typically at age 40, or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in their family, whichever comes first).
• People who have one first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who has experienced colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps at age 60 or later should begin screening by colonoscopy at age 50, and screening should be repeated as for average risk people.
• People who have known ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or a genetically-based colon cancer syndromes in their family; such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC); require aggressive screening and preventive treatments that should be discussed with their gastroenterologist.

If you are of the right age or have risk factors please take the time to have colorectal screening done in a timely fashion.

Your healthcare provider or gastroenterologist is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your gastrointestinal health.

Burien Digestive Health Center is located at Three Tree Medical Arts Building on the campus of Highline Medical Center in Burien, and can be reached by phone at (206) 242-1300, or at their website here.

Last year when it was held at Highline Memorial Stadium, the benefit saw over 400 people from the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac participating on 31 teams, and raising over $64,000 – read our coverage here.

Founded 25 years ago by Tacoma physician Dr. Gordy Klatt, Relay For Life has grown to be the most recognized fundraising event for cancer nationwide, held in more than 5,000 communities and raising more than $3 billion toward cancer research, advocacy, education and patient services.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented event in which teams walk or run in shifts around the track for 12 to 24 hours. Participants traditionally camp out on the field, and, when they are not taking their turn walking, enjoy a variety of entertainment & activities.

The 2011 version is sponsored by BTB Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living, and continues overnight with a closing ceremony at 8 a.m. Sunday morning (June 12th).

We’re told that if you want to join in you still can, but you must show up before 11 p.m. this evening. Readers can also drop by the track and make donations at the North check-in tent. For more details, call Organizer Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707.

One of the more beautiful moments of the annual benefit will take place tonight between 10 – 11 p.m., when the Luminaria ceremony happens; this is where Luminaria candles are lit in honor of cancer victims, lighting up the track.

Some of the other events will take place all night long include:

• 11 p.m.: Scavenger Hunt
• Midnight: Capture the Flag
• 1 a.m.: Glow Stick Tag
• 2 a.m.: Partner Walk
• 3 a.m. – 6 a.m.: Disney Movies
• 6 a.m.: Breakfast
• 8 a.m.: Closing Ceremony

Here are some photos taken by Scott Schaefer this afternoon:

T-shirts emblazoned 'Remember. Fight Back.' await Relay for Life registrants at the check-in table.

Whenever there's a lot of walking, there's bound to be a lot of water.

A cancer survivor listens as Kim Parks opens the event Saturday afternoon.

Elderly Cancer Survivors are helped into a golf cart to lead the 'Survivor's Lap.'

Cancer Survivors all wore t-shirts proclaiming their status.

Mt. Rainer High School is located at 22450 19th Avenue South in Des Moines:

View Larger Map

by Mariah Acuff

We all have a story…

For almost every person you meet, cancer has affected their lives at some point. For local Des Moines resident Savanna May, it entered her life not just once, but twice. Not only was May’s cousin, Nicole Craig, diagnosed with breast cancer but four years later in 2010, so was May’s stepmother, Holly May. Like so many other loved ones of cancer patients, Savanna describes, “the hardest part was watching them go through painful treatment and not begin able to help with anything”.

Little aspects of daily life, such as a good nights sleep, enjoying food, or being able to curl their hair, were taken from Nicole and Holly as they went through chemotherapy. Yet despite the fear May felt for the outcomes of these two women in her life, the family stayed strong and supportive of one another and even with such a negative stress looming over Nicole and Holly, “their emotions were mostly positive, ‘I’m going to beat this’, attitudes.”

Nearly 9 months after her diagnosis, Savanna’s powerful stepmom is currently in remission, having had her final radiation treatment in March. May’s cousin, Nicole, described as spontaneous and caring, has been cancer free for 3 years. When asked what this experience has taught her, Savanna said,

“It taught me to appreciate small things like sleep, and tasting food normally and generally feeling good…You don’t really think how much you’d miss a good nights rest without pain until you’re up for days because of it.”

This is why she fights.

Why do you?

The annual Highline Relay for Life will be held at the Mt. Rainier High School Track, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines, the weekend of June 11 – 12, with the main event running from 3pm Saturday until 8am Sunday,

For more information, visit their website here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=33977

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mariah Acuff is a Senior at Mount Rainier High School. She is also serving on the Publicity Committee for the Highline Relay for Life.

Carol Roll on Mt. Rainier.

Carol Roll and Jameson Dowell of Burien are taking on an ambitious goal in support of research to improve prevention and early detection of breast cancer – this August they will be scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft) in Tanzania, Africa for the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer benefiting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world’s largest free standing mountain and one of the Seven Summits. The Mt. Kilimanjaro climb will be Roll’s third time participating in Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. In 2007, she raised $8,000 and climbed to the top of Mt. Rainier – 14,411 ft. Last year she attempted Mt. Shasta in Northern California and raised $9,000 for The Hutch. Unfortunately she was not able to make the summit due to weather conditions but that hasn’t stopped Roll from continuing to climb on behalf of The Hutch. Roll grew up in the area and always enjoyed spending time outdoors hiking, camping and fishing. She first got inspired to climb after spending a couple weeks backpacking around the base of Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail.

It is not just about reaching the top of a mountain though that inspires Roll to climb. After her second battle with breast cancer, Roll lost her aunt, Dr. Carol Folger, to breast cancer in 2001. She climbs in memory of her aunt in hopes that the funding she generates will one day lead to life saving research.

Dowell has already climbed many of the highest peaks in the Pacific Northwest including Rainier, Adams, Hood and Baker but this will be Dowell’s first time participating in Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. He is looking forward to giving back to the community while participating in an activity that he loves.

As part of their commitment to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Roll and Dowell will together raise $20,000 for breast cancer research for their Mt. Kilimanjaro climb. More information and how to support their efforts can be founds here:

• Donate to Carol Roll
• Donate to Jameson Dowell

Jameson Dowell on Mt. Baker.

Climb to Fight Breast Cancer expeditions offer opportunities for participants of all skill levels to have fun and be challenged in honor of those who have battled breast cancer. Peaks to be offered this year include:

• Mount Adams in Washington (12,276 feet)
• Mount Baker in Washington (10,781 feet)
• Denali in Alaska (20,320 feet)
• Mount Elbrus in Russia (18,510 feet)
• Mount Hood in Oregon (11,237 feet)
• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (19,340 feet)
• Mount Olympus in Washington (7,980 feet)
• Mount Rainier in Washington (14,411 feet)
• Mount Shasta in California (14,179 feet)
• Volcanoes of Mexico (Pico de Orizaba,18,850 feet; and Ixtaccíhuatl, 17,343 feet)

The “Volcanoes” climb will take place in October; the rest of the expeditions are scheduled for the spring and summer months.

Professional guides from Alpine Ascents International will lead expeditions to Denali, the Mexican volcanoes, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Olympus, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. Shasta Mountain Guides leads the trek up Mount Shasta, and guides from Portland Parks & Recreation will lead teams up Mount Adams and Mount Hood. A full schedule of peaks, climb dates and routes can be found at www.fhcrc.org/climb.

Each climb will have a limited number of team members – generally nine or 10 – as established by the guide services. Each participant commits to a fundraising minimum of $3,000 to $12,500, depending on the mountain.

Since the first Climb to Fight Breast Cancer 14 years ago on Mount Adams, the popular fundraiser has garnered more than $5 million in support of breast cancer research at the Hutchinson Center.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Scientists at the Hutchinson Center study many aspects of the disease, including preventive measures, risk factors and early detection. Details can be found here.

For more information or to register for the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, visit www.fhcrc.org/climb or e-mail cfbc@fhcrc.org.

George Hadley at last year's Normandy Park Hoopfest. Photo by Mark Neuman.

George Hadley, former mayor of Normandy Park, has passed away.

He died at home Sunday afternoon (May 8), confirmed long time family friend Lee Moyer.

“George will certainly be missed by all of us at Normandy Park City Hall,” said City Manager Doug Schulze.

Hadley had been fighting a serious form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer, since January. He resigned as mayor in March (read our previous coverage here and here).

George Hadley began serving as a member of the Normandy Park City Council in 2004. He served as Mayor Pro Tem from January 2006 to December 2009. In January 2010, the Normandy Park City Council elected Hadley to serve as Mayor for 2010-2011.

He was born in 1943 in Morristown, New Jersey.

He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 30 years.

Services are pending, and we’ll update this blog when we learn more.

Along with all the hats that will be worn during this Saturday’s ‘Hats On For Highline’ event at Emerald Downs, there will actually be the ‘Sport of Kings,’ in the form of what some call the “most exciting two minutes in sports” – the Kentucky Derby!

It’s also a great Mother’s Day gift – what says “I love ya Mom” better than a day at the races?

This event is a fundraiser for the Highline Medical Center Foundation, with gates opening at 11:30am. The fun starts at Noon with a buffet lunch, followed by live horse racing at 1pm, and the big Kentucky Derby at 3pm.

In additon, a Silent Auction ends at 1:30pm, and Hat Contest winners will be announced at 2:30pm.

As with any horse race, there will be betting. As with any betting games, there will be winners and there will be losers. Which will you be?

Tickets are $60 per person, and includes admission to Emerald Downs, seating in a a private VIP trackside tent, lunch, parking, program racing form and tip sheet. A table for eight is $600, which includes all of the above for eight guests as well as name/signage recognition. Learn more by downloading the invitation here (PDF file).

The B-Town Blog’s own Scott Schaefer will be serving as MC, and he’s promised to try to wear as many silly hats as he can find (or that Readers donate or loan to him – email him if you’ve got one!) during the event, which is a fundraiser for the Highline Medical Center Foundation.

Just be aware that there are a limited number of tickets left, so be sure to order yours now by calling 206-901-8500 or emailing events@highlinemedical.org.

Here are some videos that may inspire the sports bettor in each of us:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

1973 derby come-from-behind record-setting win by Secretariat:

Click here to view the embedded video.

1977 win by Seattle Slew:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Historic 1938 Seabiscuit vs War Admiral match race:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And just for fun, some humorous race calls:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The lineup for the 2011 derby has been announced – which horse do YOU think will win?:

Uncle Mo

Owner:  Repole Stable
Jockey:  John Velazquez
Trainer:  Todd Pletcher

Dialed In

Owner:  Robert LaPenta
Jockey:  Julien Leparoux
Trainer:  Nick ZitoPros

Comma to the Top

Owners:  Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Kevin Tsujihara
Jockey:  Corey Nakatani
Trainer:  Peter Miller

Pants on Fire

Owners: George and Lori Hall
Jockey: Anna Napravnik
Trainer: Kelly BreenPros

JP’s Gusto

Owner:  Gem, Inc.
Jockey:  Joe Talamo
Trainer:  Joe Petalino

Soldat

Owner:  Harvey Clarke & W Craig Robertson III
Jockey:  Alan Garcia
Trainer:  Kiaran McLaughlinPros

Mucho Macho Man

Owners:  Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Dream Team Racing Stable
Jockey:  Rajiv Maragh
Trainer:  Kathy Ritvo

Decisive Moment

Owner:  Just for Fun Stables (Ruben Sierra)
Jockey:  Kerwin Clark
Trainer:  Juan Arias

Animal Kingdom

Owner:  Team Valor International
Jockey:  Alan Garcia
Trainer:  H. Graham Motion

The Factor

Owners:  Fog City Stable & George Bolton
Jockey:  Martin Garcia
Trainer:  Bob Baffert

Stay Thirsty

Owner:  Repole Stable
Jockey:  Ramon Dominguez
Trainer:  Todd Pletcher

Santiva

Owner:  Tom Walters
Jockey:  Shaun Bridgmohan
Trainer:  Eddie Kenneally

Watch Me Go

Owner:  Gilbert Campbell
Jockey:  Luis Garcia
Trainer:  Kathleen O’ Connell

Anthony’s Cross

Owner:  A D K Racing
Jockey:  Joel Rosario
Trainer:  Eoin Harty

Brethren

Owner:  WinStar Farm LLC.
Jockey:  Ramon Dominguez
Trainer:  Todd Pletcher

The 2011 Hats On For Highline is sponsored by Merchants Credit Association, along with:

• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• Burien Toyota/Scion
• Burien Chevrolet
• The B-Town Blog
• Inslee Best
• Performance Home Medical
• Key Bank
• Highline Emergency Physicians
• Jackson, Morgan & Hunt, PLLC
• Jim Coleman, DDS
• Bank of America, Merrill Lynch

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you’re a local business leader interested in Sponsoring this fundraiser, please contact Nikki Huang ASAP at 206-901-8508 or email nhuang@highlinemedical.org.

The Highline Medical Center Foundation’s annual ‘Hats On For Highline’ fundraiser event will be Saturday, May 7th (Kentucky Derby Day) at Emerald Downs in Auburn, and we’re proud to be Media Sponsors.

BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer will serve as MC, and he’s promising to wear as many silly hats as possible. In fact, if YOU have a funny hat but can’t attend, email Scott here and he’ll coordinate a way to wear it (pending personal inspection first of course).

The ‘Hats On’ in the title of this fundraiser relates to victims of cancer who have had to endure chemotherapy or radiation treatments, which often results in hair loss – hence the hats. Guests are encouraged to wear hats to show their support.

Gates open at 11:30am, and the fun starts at Noon with a buffet lunch. Live horse racing starts at 1pm, a Silent Auction ends at 1:30pm, and the Hat Contest winners will be announced at 2:30pm. Hat Contest Categories are:

• Most Creative
• Most Vintage
• Best Ensemble (hat and outfit)
• Best Use of Roses

Tickets are $60 per person, and includes admission to Emerald Downs, seating in a a private VIP trackside tent, lunch, parking, program racing form and tip sheet. A table for eight is $600, which includes all of the above for eight guests as well as name/signage recognition.

Reservations must be made by April 25th, and you can get more info by downloading the invitation here (PDF file).

The 2011 Hats On For Highline is sponsored by Merchants Credit Association, along with:

• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• Burien Toyota/Scion
• Burien Chevrolet
• The B-Town Blog
• Inslee Best
• Performance Home Medical
• Key Bank
• Highline Emergency Physicians
• Jackson, Morgan & Hunt, PLLC
• Jim Coleman, DDS
• Bank of America, Merrill Lynch

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
If you’re a local business leader interested in Sponsoring this fundraiser, please contact Nikki Huang at 206-901-8508 or email nhuang@highlinemedical.org.