Virtually the entire population of the Blackford campus arrived at the field on April 24 for the third annual Harker Cancer Walk. Students, parents, faculty and staff all showed up with their walking shoes on to raise money for Camp Okizu, an organization that provides recreational activities and peer support to families with cancer-stricken children.

Money was raised by selling t-shirts, wrist bands and bake sale items, as well as through donations, which were still being collected after the event concluded. The current total is $9,677, most of which was raised on the day of the Cancer Walk. “I continue to be humbled by the level of giving from this community as this year we raised even more than we have in the past,” said MS computer science teacher Michael Schmidt, who began coordinating the Cancer Walk in 2007 after his mother passed away battling the disease the previous year. “In fact, we achieved an unprecedented feat – we sold out of everything! I think the teachers would have sold the tables and chairs if possible.”

The event had visitors from the Bucknall and Saratoga campuses as well, making it a collaborative schoolwide effort. As a highlight, Schmidt performed a special victory dance, and was soon joined by dozens of others to bring the event to a fittingly celebratory close.

“It is truly a blessing to find myself amongst such a wonderful group of people,” Schmidt said. “The outpouring of support for the Cancer Walk is why it’s such a wonderful time.”