information from Make-A-Wish Foundation

The average birthday celebration for Lou Cutler consists of more than just a piece of cake and a few gifts.

Before his big day approaches, he chooses to lace up his running shoes and work up a sweat to raise money for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, the local organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

In celebration of his birthday, Cutler invites students, parents, colleagues and community members to join him in running laps around the school to raise money for the local Make-A-Wish chapter. Each year, Lou finds the strength to add one more lap in celebration of one more year of life.

This year, Laps with Lou will take place on June 3 at 8:45 a.m. at Pathfinder K-8 School, located at 1901 SW Genesee, West Seattle 98106. Lou will run 65 laps which equates to about 10.8 miles.

A cast of more than 500 children, parents, teachers and school personnel are set to join Lou this year. Over the past 12 years, Pathfinder has raised more than $60,000—that’s enough to grant 12 wishes to local kids with life-threatening medical conditions! Last year alone, Lou and his runners raised more than $8,000 for Make-A-Wish.

Cutler, a wish granting volunteer for 20 years and retired physical education teacher from Pathfinder K-8 School, looks forward to this annual tradition that combines his two passions.

“I will have the time of my life, as I will experience the true joy that comes from watching the entire Pathfinder community come together to raise money to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions,” said Cutler.

About Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington
Thirty years and 6,000 wishes later, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington is local and we are here to stay with your support! From granting six wishes in our first year, to now 368 this year, we have come a long way, but our work is not over yet. We’re lighting a spark within our organization and our community to grant a wish for every eligible child because we know wishes matter. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can influence the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Every year, one in four seriously-ill children in Alaska and Washington does not receive a wish because they are not being referred to our program. That’s something we can and will change. For more information about Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington and how you can share the power of a wish® please call 800.304.9474, visit akwa.wish.org or connect with us at facebook.com/makeawishakwa or on Twitter @MakeAWishAKWA.