Bark for Life in Petersburg to honor canine caregivers
Written by Ann Richardson Wednesday, 08 February 2012 04:22
For some cancer survivors, four-legged friend is all the support they have
PETERSBURG – Cancer is indiscriminate and knows no boundaries. One in three people will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, and if they’re lucky, they’ll have a furry, four-legged companion by their side on the road to recovery.
Canine companions demonstrate unconditional love, joy, security, compassion, and no judgments of cancer survivor’s abilities or appearances.
To honor the lifelong contributions of these wonderful caregivers, the American Cancer Society (ACS) sponsors Bark for Life. The area’s first tail-wagging, fun-filled fundraising event will be held at Amanda’s Field in Petersburg on June 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A kick-off for the doggie extravaganza will be held Friday, Feb. 10 at the Seaville Tavern from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bark for Life organizers would like everyone to join them for food, drinks, fun and information.
“We are in need of passionate, dog-loving volunteers,” said Kirby Reed, director of the Cape May County Bark for Life event. The purpose of the event, she said, is to help raise funds for the ACS to find a cure for cancer and in the process “create a world with more birthdays.”
“This is going to be the first ‘Bark’ in our area, we’re so excited,” said Reed. “We hope to grow from here. Cancer is a terrible disease and it affects both our two and four-legged friends.”
At the Bark for Life, families and their dogs come together for a few hours and complete the one-mile walk around Amanda’s Field, to honor the care-giving qualities of their canine “best friends” and cancer survivors. Dogs can form teams with their canine pals or walk solo with their owners.
“You don’t even have to walk, if you just want to come and have fun, offer your support, that’s okay too,” said Reed.
There will be doggie games, doggie kissing booths, top dog and dress contests, team and community fundraising, musical entertainment and lots of food. There will also be beautiful hand-knit doggie sweaters, home-made doggie treats and candy.
“People are contributing their yarn and their talents,” said Reed. “There are many ways you can have fun and many ways you can help.”
Bark for Life is tied in with Relay for Life, the ACS’s signature fundraising event.
Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. More than 3.5 million people participate in nationwide Relay events each year.
The heart of Bark for Life is the relationship between survivors and their canine companions, Reed said. Every family, co-worker, friend, or community member who has been close to a cancer experience and has a dog in their life, is invited to support the American Cancer Society by registering and fundraising through Bark for Life.
Canine caregivers are loving pets, companions, guide dogs, service dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, cancer survivor dogs, and diagnostic dogs, who with their owners, are joining the ACS as relay teams.
They participate to celebrate cancer survivorship, to honor people lost to cancer, and to fundraise in support of the ACS mission of eliminating cancer though research, education, advocacy and service.
The event represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
The funds raised save lives by funding cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services. Last year, Ocean City’s Relay for Life event has raised more than $100,000.
Reed said there are many survivors who do not have family or friends but have canine caregivers. Bark for Life gives these cancer survivors a chance to participate and be empowered in the fight against cancer, she said.
Shelley Ackerman, one of several volunteers working tirelessly to assist Reed, will be at the Bark with Bunny, aka “The Bun-Bun.”
“I have wanted to volunteer and give back in some manner, but could never seem to find an organization about which I could become passionate,” said Ackerman.
While working last summer at the Frog and Toad in Stone Harbor, she befriended a co-worker, JoAnn McKiernan, a cancer survivor who had just lost her beloved dog, Sassy.
“While giving her my condolences, she listed her dog's many accomplishments, not the least of which was the inspiration for the very first Bark for Life in Pottstown Pa.,” said Ackerman.
Ackerman, who is deaf, was still feeling vulnerable from her own loss and felt an instant kinship with McKiernan.
“When I lost all of my hearing suddenly in 2008, I was devastated,” she said. “My life changed dramatically and I had to learn a new way of communicating and surviving.”
In 2009, Ackerman accompanied a friend to the Ocean City Humane Society to check out a dog.
“That is when I found my sweet Bunny, a deaf Aussie Cattle Dog, who has saved my life,” said Ackerman. “I think we saved each other! When I met JoAnn last summer and we talked about the Bark for Life, I felt it was a perfect match to honor Bunny and all the other furry canine friends of those going through a struggle, and beat down that horrific disease that has taken many people from me. A perfect match up!”
McKiernan inspired the Cape May County Bark for Life.
“I worked next door to the Frog and Toad where Shelley and JoAnn worked,” said Reed. “JoAnn used to see me with my dogs. We started talking and got Shelley involved and we got really excited about the possibility of hosting a Bark for Life right here.
“JoAnn was diagnosed with cancer, and Sassy played a huge role in her recovery. Dogs can sense when you are sick and they provide comfort and strength.”
Sassy was a team leader at the inaugural Bark for Life. Collectively they decided that her effort should not go in vain.
“So in memory of Sassy, we decided to host the Bark,” said Reed. “It snowballed from there. We really have to recognize how important dogs are in our lives. Sometimes a dog is all you have, and they never let you down. That’s why we want to honor them.”
Reed will participate with her pooches, Emmett and Flynn.
“We’re all new to this,” said Reed. The inaugural Bark is a work in progress, but no matter what, she said, it will be fun.
For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to www.relayforlife.org/barkcapemaycountynj.
Do you love dogs? Have you or someone you know been touched by cancer? Want to volunteer for something but haven’t known what or who to help? Cape May County’s inaugural Bark for Life might be for you.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|