An all-day walk this Saturday will raise thousands for Schoharie County cancer patients and their families.
It's the 18th Marathon for a Better Life that will have hundreds of walkers turning out to help their neighbors.
Held at the parking lot behind Champlin Hall at SUNY Cobleskill, the event starts at 10am and ends with a luminary ceremony at 9pm.
In between, teams of walkers--well more than 40 teams are already signed up--will take lap after lap of the parking lot.
Money raised by the teams will fulfill the Marathon's goal: Help local cancer sufferers.
Those patients just ask the Marathon directors for help, and they get it. The requirements are simple: Have cancer and live in Schoharie County.
"The need doesn't get any less," said Marathon President Cherie Stevens. "When people know you'll do what you say you'll do, it's easy to ask."
Patients and families can use the money for whatever they need: fuel, travel, food, co-pays and more.
"We don't want to know," Ms. Stevens said. "It's not for us to decide."
Last year's Marathon raised more than $115,000. Ms. Stevens doesn't have a target this year.
"We know the economy isn't the best," she said. "It would be great to get over $100,000, but we don't have a goal."
There's a deeper purpose than money to the Marathon, Ms. Stevens added.
"The day is about cancer patients and letting them know they're not alone," she said.
Eight-to-12-member teams can register through Friday by contacting Mina Stella at Stella Motors on MacArthur Avenue in Cobleskill, 234-8735 or 231-0569.
For more information about the Marathon, call 291-9238. That's also the number cancer patients can call for help.

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Before the walk starts at 10, there will be greetings, announcements and awards.
SUNY Cobleskill acting President Deb Thatcher and Cobleskill Mayor Linda Holmes will speak.
Marathon directors will present Angel Awards to those who have aided the effort.
The Marathon will begin a survivors' lap, followed by a caregivers' lap before all walkers join in.
Plenty of other activities will be available. The Marathon gift shop will be open, and there will be a silent auction and other sales, too.
The Bassett Mobile Coach will be doing breast exams, mammograms and pap tests.
DJ Brian Garreau will play music from 9am to 1pm, the band Crash Course will play from 1 to 5, and The Kopy Kats will play from 5 to 9.
"We need some high energy at the end," Ms. Stevens said of The Kopy Kats.
The luminary ceremony will end the Marathon at 9.
"We had over 600 luminaries last year," Ms. Stevens said. "It was wonderful."

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Besides Ms. Stevens, Marathon officers are Vice President Veronica Diamond, Treasurer Christina Brizzee, Assistant Treasurer Kim Law, Secretary Mina Stella, Corresponding Secretary Dawn Schell and Historian Todd Brizzee.
Directors are Holly Hauser, Andy Diamond, Kathy Diamond, Penny Lushkevich, Beth Wood, Sue Makely, Nancy Becker and Steve Chaisson.