Ray, a member of the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) support group Living Well with Cancer, died of pancreatic cancer. He used to call the group his lifeline, his “rope” that kept him going. Last year, “Ray’s Rope,” a team founded by surviving group members, led all Hometown Heroes in fundraising for HCI.

The Hometown Heroes program recruits fundraiser athletes to participate individually and as teams in events such as marathons, 5Ks, and bike rides. The program provides each athlete with training and support for both the event and fundraising. In return, each participant agrees to raise at least a minimum amount of money; some of it covers event registration fees and other training expenses, but more than 75 percent goes directly to benefit HCI. In 2004 and 2005, the Hometown Heroes program raised more than $300,000 for cancer research and outreach. Nearly 500 Hometown Heroes teams trained for and participated in five athletic events, including the Salt Lake City Marathon and 5K (of which HCI is the official charitable beneficiary). “Ray’s Rope” will be there again in 2006.

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