What's Happening in Poway, CA…

A sunny Sunday morning was the perfect backdrop for a fundraiser earlier this month.

Hundreds of San Diegans turned out on August 9 for the Free to Breathe 5K, a run/walk event that was held at North Embarcadero Marina Park. The race was held to raise awareness of lung cancer, as well as helping generate funds for research into the disease.

Many people who joined in the run were celebrating their victory over lung cancer, such as Susan Smedley Gerber, who was diagnosed at age 32. She survived, but 160,000 people annually succumb to the disease.

Others were there to honor the memory of loved ones, such as Jessica Evans. Her boyfriend, Tim Bumbalough, died seven years ago of stage four lung cancer, which he battled for over a year before passing away. Evans says that Bumbalough was healthy, a nonsmoker, and a former Marine, and she is still puzzled as to how he contracted the disease. Event organizers say that over 224,000 people each year are diagnosed with lung cancer.

Last year, the event raised over $37,000, but organizers hope to beat that this year, and want to raise $43,500.

Even organizers could build on this year's success by working with brochure printers to create a mailer for community residents describing the race, and asking them to save the date next year.