Trail of Hope raises $1,901 for local cancer patients
By Mindy McKerrall on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
HARNEY COUNTY-CAN Cancer of Harney County hosted the annual Trail of Hope 5K Fun Run & Walk Saturday, May 9, at the Hines Park Pavilion. This annual event raises funds to help cover the cost of non-medical expenses (such as gas, groceries, and lodging) for local cancer patients who are receiving treatment. We’re pleased to report that this year’s event raised $1,901 for Harney County’s cancer patients!
Crane Union High School student Cara Goss-Bodily — who interns with Harney District Hospital (HDH) Athletic Trainer Kaitlin Patterson — kicked off the 5K by leading stretches in the park. Cara developed the warmup routine in collaboration with Burns High School student intern Sydney White. After warming up with Cara, the walkers and runners made their way to the starting line.
A total of 82 walkers and runners came out to support our community’s cancer patients. In addition to enjoying a sunny Saturday morning, participants received a beautiful CAN Cancer T-shirt, which was designed by Schelly Daugherty of Shepherd Graphics and printed by Selené Dobson of Stitch & Print. CAN Cancer sold 24 additional T-shirts as well as 25 cancer-awareness bracelets during the 5K. (Shirts and bracelets will be sold throughout the year to raise funds for CAN Cancer — including during the upcoming Harney Nights events at the Arrowhead Plaza in downtown Burns. Be sure to stop by CAN Cancer’s booth to check them out!)
This year’s 5K was enhanced by the addition of the Trail of Hope Garden. Paper flowers were adhered to metal stakes and placed along the last lap of the route (near Hines City Hall) to honor cancer patients. Altogether, community members purchased and decorated 76 flowers to memorialize loved ones who lost their lives to cancer, show support for those who are currently receiving cancer treatment, and celebrate cancer survivors.
As an added bonus, Jalyn Thompson painted and donated rocks, which were hidden throughout the Hines Park Pavilion and along the Trail of Hope route. Participants were encouraged to find the rocks, snap a selfie, and tag CAN Cancer’s Facebook page. CAN Cancer would like to thank Jalyn for sharing her time and talent! She truly put the “fun” in fundraising by creating these extraordinary keepsakes!
CAN Cancer would also like to thank the city of Hines for the use of their space as well as the Hines Volunteer Fire Department, Hines Police Department, and HDH Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department for helping with traffic control.
Additionally, CAN Cancer would like to recognize and thank Grocery Outlet for donating ice and water for the 5K. This is also an ideal time to recognize CAN Cancer’s other annual sponsors — which include Harney District Hospital, ThriveWell Clinic, Dusty Threads & Thrift, Bill and Patsy Wilber, Drewsey Field Ranch, Joanie Henry, Mary Ann and George Wilber, Harney County Home Health & Hospice, the county of Harney, Harney County Sheriff’s Office, the Ryckman and Ansotegui families, 242 Ranch Beef (Dave and Amy Henry), Jeff and Patty Dorroh, Selco Community Credit Union, Ed Staub & Sons, Les Schwab Tires, First Community Credit Union, and Doug and Jolene Cawlfield. We can’t thank you enough for your support!
CAN Cancer also owes a debt of gratitude to the outstanding volunteers who helped make the Trail of Hope possible — including the HDH Admitting Department, Darbie Kemper, Rhonda Gunderson, Charlene Cate, Anna Sawyer, Kaitlin Patterson, Cara Goss-Bodily, and Sydney White. Last, but certainly not least, CAN Cancer would like to recognize its Advisory Board members, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organize fundraisers and administer the program. The CAN Cancer Advisory Board consists of Samantha Yarbrough, Kimberely Falcon, Joanie Henry, Sue Weathers, Patsy Wilber, and Pam Boren.
“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the community come together to support Harney County’s cancer patients,” Samantha Yarbrough said. “We can’t do what we do without you! Your support means everything to our local cancer patients and their families.”
For more information about CAN Cancer, call Samantha Yarbrough at (541) 573-8318 or email outreach@harneydh.com.
