Opt Outside to Fight Cancer 5K 2023

The second annual Blake Pottle Foundation Opt Outside 5K event took place on Sunday, June 4, 2023.

This year’s event garnered so much support, demonstrated by a 60% increase in registrations YoY (around 100 participants). Curbside Grind was on-site to help everyone caffeinate, hydrate, and carb-load before the event. The kids kicked things off with an exciting 1K. Bubbles and proud parents surrounded them, and snacks awaited as they crossed the finish line with smiles across their faces. The epic kids' competition was followed by the main event; runners and walkers alike filled the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, with blue skies and a backdrop of Mt. Si, the star of the Blake Pottle Foundation’s logo.

As participants crossed the finish line, appetites were building! The onsite food truck served up tasty Mexican dishes, and the beer garden flowed with a variety of Bale Breaker Brews. The kids and teens played games in the field, while the adults mingled in the sunshine and perused the silent auction merch. Some were having so much fun, they extended their stay by calling their family down to hang out after the race:

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“What a great time had by all. I had my husband and kids come down, and we didn’t get home until hours after the race. Wonderful group of people and will surely be there next year!”

- Race participant.

 
We were grateful to host some very special guests. Blake’s Oncologist, Dr. Xie, of the Swedish oncology department -and his family - were in attendance (he even took the mic and said a few words about his experience treating Blake, which was a very touching moment). An incredible group of Blake’s colleagues from Slalom attended and volunteered to ensure the event ran smoothly. Family and friends of Blake’s arrived from near and far, and we had an amazing turnout from our Snoqualmie Valley community. The very community that drew Blake and our family to build our homes here, demonstrating exactly what makes this community so special. Finally, the Schock family made a midnight trip over the mountains from Tri-Cities to attend. Drew Schock is an amazing 15-year-old, who recently battled and beat Leukemia, while staying in the home Blake built, and traveling to Seattle Children’s Hospital for treatment. Seeing him thrive is such a gift, and we know Blake is proud.

There’s nothing better than being surrounded by great people and good vibes, but even more importantly, we’re making an impact! We are overjoyed to share that through this year’s event and the generosity of our community, the Blake Pottle Foundation is funding the first-ever ceiling lift for the Swedish Cancer Institute in Issaquah. A top priority of the Swedish nursing team when asked how the Foundation could help, this equipment will aid nurses, cancer patients, and their families. I spoke more about this and the mission of the foundation at the event, which is included in the 'Welcome Words' below.
 

We cannot wait to see everyone again next year and continue to make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer.

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 “I attended the event for the Blake Pottle Foundation and wanted to let you know it was a wonderful day. How lucky for me that I was asked to join. The event was perfect. Perfect location, coffee truck, sunshine, lots of wonderful people and their children, pets, and smiles all around. Special people like the Pottle’s are the ones that help make other people’s lives a bit easier if not a whole lot easier!”

-Race participant

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Welcome Words:

 Hello, I'd like to express my gratitude to all of you for being here today and for supporting our passion project. The Blake Pottle Foundation was created in honor of my brother, Blake Pottle, who passed away from colon cancer in September 2021 at 39 years old. Last year, with the support of so many amazing people, we were able to create a non-profit foundation, host our first annual 5K, and donate to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute within 9 months of his passing. Today, 1 year and 9 months later, we feel so fortunate to be here with you all, continuing to honor his legacy and raise money to support others battling cancer.


Our mission is two-fold: First, to honor the person. Cancer can, at times, be a very dehumanizing experience. In many ways, life becomes very transactional in nature. It can be a series of appointments, lab results, genetic markers, scans, and costly insurance premiums. But amidst the chaos, there are moments - moments when you look at your loved one, and despite the circumstances, you just feel so damn fortunate to have that moment with them. Moments when you receive a text message or a phone call at the exact moment you need it most. Moments where a knock on the door reveals a special delivery from someone, somewhere, who took a moment out of their day to make you feel less alone.

From this experience, the Blake Pottle Foundation created 'Moments that Matter' boxes. Each box contains gifts unique to the person and their needs, as well as a personal note, and a sincere hope that even if for only a moment, they feel the love and support they deserve.

Second, to honor the journey - it is a difficult one, and our mission is to ease the burden. Like so many things, until you experience something firsthand, you can never imagine the toll a cancer diagnosis will take on you and your loved ones. Physical strain is an added stressor that we personally didn’t expect. When health declines and mobility issues surface, it takes a lot of planning and diligence to keep everyone safe. Quite frankly, it was scary knowing that one misstep could result in broken bones that the body was not equipped to heal. For that reason, we are actively seeking to identify and fund opportunities that promote health and well-being to make the lives of those battling cancer and their caregivers less burdensome. We will continue to identify opportunities that benefit our community.