Township Couple Raising Cancer Fight Funds

Shortly after her father succumbed to leukemia, Stephanie Gurak got an itch to do something to benefit cancer research.

She chose to participate in the 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure after seeing a TV commercial promoting the fundraiser to benefit breast cancer research.

This year, Gurak will be joined by her husband, Robert, as she participates in her second three-day, 60-mile trek.

"I am hoping, even in these hard economic times, for anyone to please make a donation of any size," Stephanie said. "It means so much for me to do this walk, and I have to rely on the kindness of strangers and friends to help to meet the goal we need to do this walk."

If monetary contributions are not possible, the Guraks are hoping businesses may be willing to donate products and services to be put up in raffles.

But the Guraks aren't training for the walk and otherwise just sitting back and hoping donations begin to pour in for the walk, now less than seven months away.

On Thursday, March 31, Robert and Stephanie will host a fundraising event at the Blackwood , which will donate a portion of the total amount raised through an $11 per child entry fee to the Somerdale couple. Parents will be admitted for free.

It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Stephanie Gurak at 856-435-8871 or doing3daywalk@yahoo.com.

The fundraiser will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Guraks will be selling baked goods and conducting a 50/50 raffle at the event.

Donations can also be made in Robert and Stephanie Gurak's names at the3day.org. Click on "Donate to a Participant," found along the right side of the main page, then enter a name in the search form.

For any donation of $5 or more, the Guraks will wear pink ribbons in honor of the donor or in memory of someone who died from breast cancer. Send an email to Stephanie if you want her or her husband to wear a pink ribbon worn for your donation.

As of Friday, Stephanie had raised $175 of her $2,300 goal and Robert $10.

"I still have a long way to go," Stephanie said.

Let's help her get there.

And if you see Stephanie training in , be sure to stop to say hello and wish her luck.