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Walk to raise money to help fight cancer

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, The Southern

Sunday, May 11, 2008 10:57 PM CDT

DETAILS:

What: Walk With the Dogs 5K fundraising walk to benefit pancreatic cancer research and the Washington County Sheriff Department's K9 Unit

When: 7:30 a.m., June 7

Where: Memorial Park, Nashville

For more information: Contact Christi Thompson Merritt at rcmerr78@aol.com.

NASHVILLE - A 5K walk next month will pay tribute to the late Jeanenne Thompson and raise money to fight the disease that took her life.

Thompson, formerly of Nashville, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer June 15, 2004, and died Feb, 15, 2005, her daughter, Christi Thompson Merritt, said.

"She was given, as most pancreatic cancer patients are, a diagnosis of only three to six months," Merritt said. "Pancreatic cancer is a very painful disease. It's just a hideous disease and because its symptoms are often misdiagnosed, by the time it is discovered it is usually too late."

Thompson, a professional dog handler who led nine Dobermans to the national top 20, fought a valiant battle against the disease and maintained a positive attitude, her daughter said.

"She fought the good fight and she said she didn't regret anything. She wouldn't change a thing in her life," Merritt said.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, she said, but the least funded for research. That's why when Thompson's family wanted to find a way to help fight the disease - and honor their loved one at the same time - they came up with "Walk With the Dogs," a 5K walk that would take place in Nashville, where Thompson raised her family.

The event is sponsored by The Jeanenne Thompson Foundation, Inc.

Ninety percent of the money raised goes to the Pancreatic Action Network, while the other 10 percent is donated to the Washington County Sheriff's Department K9 unit, Merritt said.

The first annual event took place in 2006 with 121 walkers in Nashville and an additional 126 "Web Walkers," people who wanted to take part but were unable to travel to Washington County. The web walkers make a donation prior to the Nashville event and are sent a T-shirt to wear and encouraged to walk their dogs at the same time as the Nashville walkers.

The first year's take exceeded expectations, Merritt said, with $7,000 raised for research and $700 for the K9 unit. The second year had 145 walkers in 26 states and Australia and 115 walkers in Nashville.

"In just two years, we raised $17,000 for research," she said. "We were thrilled and we hope to add to that this year."

Brett Detering of Anna has helped plan the event that honors his mother's sister.

"We wanted to do something to help fight this disease because of the bleak mortality rate and we wanted to keep Jeanenne's memory alive," he said. "I play only a minor role. My mother, Carolyn, and Christi have been the driving force and have done the majority of the work."

He said the family hopes to be able to grow the walk so more money can be donated for research.

Detering said he hopes to raise the total amount of donations toward research to more than $25,000 this year.

Merritt said she would like to see the community support the event.

"I know this is a tough time for people to give money, but I would love for people to come out and support the cause and help us raise money for research into early detection and treatment options," she said.

beckymalk@gmail.com

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