Thousands expected for Ethel Precht Breast Cancer walk
<div class="Content"><p class="indent">If you ever doubt the impact one woman can make on the world, remember Ethel Precht.</p><p class="indent">Her dream was to form a foundation that would benefit Calcasieu and Cameron parish women going through breast cancer with 100 percent of its proceeds.</p><p class="indent">The 14th annual Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk and Survivor Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Registration opens at 7 a.m. Ceremonies begin at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:30.</p><p class="indent">“It has become known as one of the largest attended walks in Southwest Louisiana,” said Lisa Guerrero, foundation board member. “We’re expecting close to 4,000 participants this year.”</p><p class="indent">“What we’re trying to do, and what it’s been working toward every year is a celebration of survivors,” Guerrero said.</p><p class="indent">Rain – if there is any – won’t pose a problem. All events are family friendly and will be located inside the Lake Charles Civic Center. It’s more than a walk. The familyfriendly fall event includes a car and bike show and a huge tent area with games and activities just for kids. For the first time this year, a gumbo cookoff has been added. Cancer survivors will judge the work of 20 four-man teams.</p><p class="indent">“We have more vendors than we’ve ever had,” Guerrero said.</p><p class="indent">These include sponsors, retailers, wig shops, special bra and lingerie dealers, pharmaceuticals and promotional items that can be purchased.</p><p class="indent">The foundation has provided financial support to nearly 700 survivors in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes in the last 14 years. In 2018, it will hit $500,000 in local survivor monetary support. The assistance is dedicated for such things as wigs, prosthesis, payment of medical bills and transportation to and from cancer treatment centers, according to Guerrero.</p><p class="indent">Donors can give at the event or purchase a T-shirt for $20. Students, teachers and first responders pay only $10 for T-shirts.</p><p class="indent">The foundation offers a scholarship to a breast cancer survivor or McNeese or Sowela student whose life has been impacted by breast cancer. Jan Blake of Carlyss is one of the many breast cancer survivors impacted by Precht. The two became friends. She is a registered nurse and heads up the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Support Group.</p><p class="indent">She and other support group attendees visit West Cal Cam, Memorial, Christus Ochsner St. Patrick and Christus Ochsner Lake Area hospitals to deliver goody bags with snacks, hand sanitizers and a Bible verse. The bag also contains a list of resources, available at little or no cost.”</p><p class="indent">“We just want them to know that people care,” Blake said.</p><p class="indent">Precht died last year of pancreatic cancer after surviving breast cancer for 31 years. The breast cancer diagnosis transformed the shy, down-toearth wife of a rice farmer, according to Blake. She began to reach out to find a way to help others.</p><p class="indent">“Her favorite word was hope,” Blake said. “From the day I met her, she became my hero. Now she’s my angel.”</p></div>
<strong>‘It has become known as one of the largest attended walks in Southwest Louisiana. We’re expecting close to 4,000 participants this year.’</strong>
Lisa Guerrero
Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk board member