Flock this way

FINDLAY — According to the list of national holidays for Sept. 13, people will be celebrating fortune cookies, chocolate, iguanas, Uncle Sam and Studebakers this year. Flamingos can also be added in Findlay and Hancock County as Cancer Patient Services hosts its fourth annual Flock Walk at the University of Findlay's Koehler Center. The family-friendly fundraiser offers community, hope and support for all local cancer patients. "We're very blessed that the community supports us," said CPS Chief Executive Officer Carol Metzger. "We're very unique in the amount of things that we offer compared to other communities." Doors open at 8 a.m. with the annual survivor breakfast at 8:30. The first 65 cancer patients/survivors to sign up for the meal will eat for free. They are also welcome to bring a guest for $15. Opening remarks and awards will be presented to the top three individual and team fundraisers at 9 a.m. Wear a flamingo costume and you may be in the running for the "Funky Flamingo" award that will be presented to an adult and a child participant. A survivors' photo will be taken at 9:10 a.m., and the survivors' lap will start just before 9:30. "We love to see the ones holding up the signs, the 20-plus years (as a survivor)," said Metzger. "That's your goal to move to the back of the line instead of being in the front." "That's why I think for us it really gives us a great visual of why exactly we do what we do, why we ask people to support us. People are walking, holding hands with their friends. It's just a great piece of the event," she said. A 5K fun run (not professionally timed) starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 1-mile family fun walk at 9:45. The Kids' Zone returns with inflatables, yard games and a photo booth. Cosmetology students from Millstream Career Center will again add hair tinsel for those who are interested. A basket raffle and Visa card raffle — to win a gift card worth $1,500, $750, $500 or $250 — will be held with the winners announced after the walk, about 11 a.m. Basket raffle tickets can be purchased onsite, while Visa raffle tickets are available online prior to the run/walk. Money in, service out Metzger said last year's event drew about 400 people and raised just under $109,000. This year the agency is hoping for 500 participants and to raise $115,000. "We are up 22% in new clients over last year, so last year we had 160 new clients. This year it will probably be 200," she said. "We're definitely looking to expand the number of people that attend because we're the only walk I think in this area that's for all cancer patients." Additionally, there are 540 active clients. The agency has also seen a huge increase in financial need so far this year, said Metzger. "We've doubled the amount that we've been reimbursing monthly from January to July, so more people are coming and they have greater needs," she said. The cost of health insurance and medical costs including deductibles and co-pays have also been increasing, she said. "That's what we're seeing, the deductibles have really gone up. And when you get a cancer diagnosis, it's not just one year and you're done. You're seeing people having multiple years of this," she explained. "So now if your deductible was $2,000 and now its $6,000, over three years that's $18,000, and and that's a significant amount of money." "People don't have the 'In case I get cancer savings fund,'" she said. "It's definitely impacting." Flamingo signs may also be purchased in memory or in honor of someone. The cost is $15. These signs will line the walkway and can be taken home after the event. Those interested can decorate their flamingo ahead of time by picking it up at the CPS office, located in the Family Center. The agency's love for flamingos started about 2019 when staff began to "flock" lawns with plastic pink flamingos for a donation. The thought is that when flamingos get sick, the flock gathers around them and protects and cares for them while they're ill. Programs and services offered by CPS include financial reimbursement, medical supplies and equipment, patient navigation, emotional counseling and a healing arts program. A grant from Handbags That Help has enabled the nonprofit to now offer powdered protein and individual blenders for people who are having issues with eating, she said. "It definitely gives people more flexibility. We have whey-based and vegan options also. Some non vegans are using it, too, because they like the make-up of the powder and it gives people a lot more flexibility to add different things to flavor it different ways or increase the protein even more." Individual blenders were selected so people could take it with them whether they're going to treatment or to work. All proceeds from the walk will benefit the agency which provides support free of charge to individuals with an active cancer diagnosis who lives or works in Hancock County. Join a flock or fly solo People can sign up as an individual or as part of a team for Flock Walk. New this year is a virtual option for those who want to participate but can't physically attend the event. They can register as a virtual participant and choose to complete either a 1-mile walk or a 5K from wherever they are and still show their support. They can also share their photos on social media using #FlockWalk2025. "If people who are from outside the area would like to come and participate, absolutely. We'd love to have them be a part of the survivor lap, the survivor breakfast," Metzger said. "Just because they don't live or work in Hancock County doesn't mean they can't participate in this event." Early online registration is preferred at https://www.cancerpatientservices.org/flock-walk.html. But registration can also be made the morning of the event, she said. Presenting sponsors this year include Hancock Federal Credit Union, Blanchard Valley Health System and McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. The Loan Depot is sponsoring the Visa card raffle while Tall Timbers Industrial Park is sponsoring the survivors' breakfast. "We're busy this year. There's a much larger financial need," said Metzger. "So we're really hopeful this event is very successful."