Upcoming Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation 5K Fun Run, Golf Tournament Will Benefit Area Cancer Patients

By Jay Hipps, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Since the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation was founded in 2008, nearly 900 Tri-Valley cancer patients have benefited from the financial assistance for complementary healing services that it provides. You can help augment those efforts - and have a lot of fun - at two upcoming fundraisers benefitting the foundation: a 5K Fun Run/Walk on September 17 and the fourth annual Swing for Cancer Therapies Golf Tournament, to be held at Castlewood Country Club, on Thursday, October 13.

The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation does not receive funds from insurance companies nor does it receive funds from state and federal agencies. The foundation relies on funds from generous donors and from events such as the 5K Fun Run/Walk and the Swing for Cancer Therapies Golf Tournament in order to give grants to cancer patients in the Tri-Valley area.

Wing started the foundation that bears her name after surviving two types of cancer herself. During her chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery, she observed a variety of benefits from auxiliary therapies that were not covered by her insurance, including acupuncture, acupressure, therapeutic massage, visualization and guided imagery meditation, and deep breathing meditation. After her recovery, she sought to find a way to provide those experiences to others who could benefit from them, and the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation was born. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

The organization has two fundraisers scheduled on the upcoming calendar:

On September 17, their first Ocktoberfest 5K Fun Run/Walk will kick off at 9:00 am at the Working Man Brewery in Livermore. The cost is $40 for Early Bird Registration through September 2 and $45 September 3 to September 16. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $50, while kids 13 and under are $25. Check in and same day registration starts at 7:45 am, with the race beginning at 9:00 am. All runners will receive a pint size root beer or beer mug, including their choice of root beer or beer. Medals will be given to the first place adult female and male runner and for the first place child 14 and under. Live music, food truck and raffles will be provided for your enjoyment and for purchases at the finish line. Runners are encouraged to come in their finest Oktoberfest sportswear, although costumes are optional.

Also coming up is the fourth annual Swing for Cancer Therapies Golf Tournament. This perennial favorite takes place on Thursday, October 13 at Castlewood Country Club. The event's sponsors include Madden Charities, Stanford Health Care/Valley Care, Valley Medical Oncology Consultants, Epic Care, Fremont Bank as well as Heritage Bank. Sign-in starts at 10:30 am and play tees off at noon on Castlewood's Hill Course with a shotgun start and scramble format. The day ends at 5:00 pm with awards, appetizers, cocktails, a live auction and live music. Registration is available online for sponsorships, golfers, and non-golfers at sjwhtf.golfreg.com.

"Thanks to growing participation and support for this event year after year, the golf tournament is now the second largest fundraiser for the foundation," says founder Sandra Wing. "This year we are excited to invite non-golfers to join us for the after golf festivities as well. Don't miss out on the fun. Register today!"

To contact the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation, call (925) 249-6771 or access www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org.

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