Lake Zurich jeweler walks 200 miles for cancer awareness

When he's not polishing diamonds, Lake Zurich jeweler Tim Siefert hops on his bike and trains for what will likely be his most ambitious triathlon.

Siefert will bike, run and roller-blade roughly 200 miles continuously from the Mississippi River in Iowa to Lake Zurich's Paulus Park and ultimately Lake Michigan to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

Siefert said he is also walking to honor his wife, Lisa, a one-year-and-a-half survivor of breast cancer.

"She was diagnosed when our daughter was two months old and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as a new mom," said Siefert, owner of Timothy Grant Jewelry in Lake Zurich and past president of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce.

Siefert is part of the chamber networking group's team participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Saturday and Sunday at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich, He has been involved with the relay since the beginning.

"I just thought I would do something a little different to help bring some attention to this event and to finding a cure to cancer," he said. "I'm going to ride mostly, but I'm going to intermix some running and some roller-blading at times."

Siefert, 44, has participated in regular marathons and used the same training to prepare for his latest challenge.

"I did this as an adventure race a couple of times a few years ago in Ohio," Siefert said. "I've been trying to get people to do it with me but I haven't had any takers yet."

Siefert will start out at dawn Saturday in downtown Dubuque, Iowa, He hopes to cover 10 miles an hour making his way through back roads to Paulus Park. He will run a lap around the relay track in Lake Zurich before heading on to Lake Michigan where he expects to finish his 200-mile trek between 1 and 3 a.m. Sunday.

Siefert has a goal of raising $2,000 for the American Cancer Society, which he is collecting at his store, 927 S. Rand Road, and through the Web site, www.relayforlifelakezurich.com.

The relay is open to the public. The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday with games, music and special activities held throughout the night at Paulus Park.

After the ceremony, local cancer survivors and their caregivers will walk the first lap of the event, followed by all of the relay teams. A luminaria ceremony will be held at 10 p.m. to honor cancer survivors and those who lost their battle against cancer.

To form a team, purchase luminaria or for more information, call (847) 317-0025 or visit www.relayforlifelakezurich.com.