SANDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) – Engines roared in Sands Township on Sunday to support people impacted by cancer.
Cancer is a disease that can devastate the lives of individuals and families. To support the community through the struggle, Sands Speedway held a Walk for Cancer Care of Marquette County race. Track Promoter Tina Brandel says the race hits close to home.
“My brother was just recently put on hospice care, so this is really important for me and my family to do,” Brandel said.
The race raised donations for Cancer Care of Marquette County to aid people through cancer treatment financially. President David Poirier says the nonprofit allocated about $100,000 to 80 people this year. He hopes to alleviate some of the burden.
“What normally happens is that they’ve been at it for a few months, they think they’re gonna be fine, but then the bills start coming in,” Poirier said. “The medical and the travel bills.”
The track opened its heart for cancer fighters and survivors like racer Bernard Penegor–a stage two colon cancer survivor.
“I’m always gonna fight with my cancer people, cause it’s a unique group, and it’s a hard fight, a really hard fight,” Penegor said. “It’s probably one of the hardest fights of my life.”
Brandel says cancer touches you in some way or another, and having a race is just one way to help people talk through their grief.
“Yes, it’s sad and heartbreaking, but it’s part of normal life, if you really sit back and ask what’s normal,” Brandel said. “This is normal life, and we have to deal with it. It’s one day at a time, and that’s all you can do.”
She says the track and its racers are here for you.
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