Over 1000 people came together in a run/walk event on Sunday September 28th, sponsored by West Seattle's Northwest Hope and Healing, and presented by Krieger Dental. The event, now 6 years old, was held for the first time on Alki Beach and raised over $50,000 between runners' fees and sponsorships. Northwest Hope and Healing Foundation is a non-proft organization founded by Christine Smith while she was undergoing breast cancer treatment at the Swedish Medical Center.

"It came about in May of 2000 based on an incredible need that patients had outside of medical assistance," Christine said. Her primary mission was to provide non-medical emergency services, such as rent, meals and childcare, to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in the Puget Sound area. Director Shari Sewell said about the organization, "We're a one woman show... we rely on our amazing volunteers to fulfill the mission."

Along for the walk were two cancer survivors, Elisa Del Rosario, and Marguerite Lynch. Elisa said, "I first heard about Northwest Hope and Healing through a gift basket, the healing basket that I got from Linda Sabee...and it was just such a tremendous symbol of support."

The winner of the run with a time of approximately 16 minutes and 40 seconds was a man named Mike (no last name disclosed).

Event sponsors included PCC, Metropolitan Market, Salty's, X Gym, Blue Star Development, Windermere Foundation, Evergreen Home Loans, Nucor, West Waterway Terminals, Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy, Christine Kirchner D.D.S. and FRS.

Washington State has the highest rate of breast cancer in the nation and the City of Seattle leads U.S. cities in the number of breast cancer cases.

You can learn more about Northwest Hope and Healing and donate to their efforts by visiting their website at

www.nwhopeandhealing.org .