Bark For Life fundraisers to help ACS

During the months and years of heart-wrenching diagnoses, debilitating treatments and painful recovery, many cancer patients turn to their dogs for comfort and companionship.

But until recently, the American Cancer Society's largest annual fundraiser, Relay For Life, was closed to man's best friend.

This year, cancer survivors and family members in Illinois will finally be able to pay tribute to the canine friends who helped them through their darkest days.

Following in the paw prints of similar events on the East Coast, the American Cancer Society is hosting eight Bark For Life events in Illinois this month - six of them in the Chicago metropolitan area alone.

Bark For Life is like the better-known Relay For Life - only for dogs. Dogs and their owners walk one mile around a track. Each event hosts activities for dogs and vendors catering to their owners.

"A lot of dogs function in a caregiver role for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer," said Kari Skloot, income development manager for the Lake County region of the American Cancer Society. "We're going to honor the impact, the role that dogs play in a cancer patient's life."

Organizers say they hope to raise at least $10,000 at each event - and the Lake County event is already halfway there. So far, 44 owners have registered their dogs for the event, which will feature dog yoga, a canine costume contest and even a "dog whisperer."

"She can communicate with dogs that are living and even those that have passed on," Skloot said.

Stephanie Edwards, an income development representative for McHenry County and the Fox Valley, said Bark For Life is facing all the challenges of an event in its first year.

"It's kind of a new concept," Edwards said. "There are people who may not know it's a fundraising event. It's a fundraiser just like (Relay For Life). Your dogs are doing fundraisers."

With strong support from local businesses, the American Cancer Society is aiming to gain recognition this year and set its sights higher next year in what organizers hope will become an annual event.

"This year, we just want people there," Edwards said. "Next year, we can focus on this as a fundraiser."

All the proceeds from the Bark For Life events go toward the American Cancer Society's cancer advocacy and research efforts.