‘Better Than Ever’ looking for new ‘Sole-Mates’

You probably know someone who has battled cancer — perhaps even someone who lost.

The disease affects virtually everyone, directly or indirectly, which is why “Better Than Ever” (BTE) begins its 10 year at the forefront of a local campaign that has attracted hundreds of participants while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Arizona Cancer Center.

It’s likely most people in the Green Valley/Sahuarita area have already heard about the BTE “Sole-Mates,” a group that continues to promote fitness as prevention for cancer, but may not be aware they too can join them in the fight.

Leaders Suzie Cherry, Barbara Powell, Sandy Bird and Kathy Wong are once again inviting anyone who wants a chance to join their army of “battling BTE’s” to enjoy their kickoff orientation Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at Arizona Family Restaurant in Green Valley.

Training sessions in a “welcoming, non-competitive atmosphere” begin a week later, so it’s an opportunity for those who want to “have fun, be fit, and fight cancer,” as their brochures state, while at the same time get a chance to meet some courageous and dedicated supporters of today’s cutting edge treatments and tomorrow’s cures.

Virtually every “Sole-Mate” has lost someone to cancer, and that reality was driven home with even more agonizing certainty when one of their most active members succumbed to leiomyosarcoma in March.

“She fought a long, hard battle,” said Wong of her good friend Chris Portmann, who was only 58. “She was the epitome of living with her cancer, and living life to the fullest.”

Portmann finished the 2007 Tucson half-marathon, one of BTE’s major fund-raising events, while struggling with the disease — no small feat.

“Unfortunately, she was one of those in a million who get this type of cancer,” Bird said, “and she was one-in-a-million as a person.”

Bird had never been in any kind of fitness or walking program before she joined the group last year about this time, but because of the support from her training leaders and friends, she was able to finish the half-marathon in 2008.

“I didn’t think I would ever make it,” she admits, but she recalls the times that people just like Portmann encouraged her to keep going when she wanted to turn back, which is why she wants to continue to participate to remember her friend.

“It was first in her honor,” Bird said, “and now it’s in her memory.”

BTE trains participants in a 90-day program to run or walk their choice of events and distances, which include the CATwalk 10k (6.2 miles) on Saturday, Nov. 14, the Tucson half-marathon of 13.1 miles on Sunday, Dec. 13 (a Catalina State Park event in April and a Cinco de Mayo event), or they can cycle in the El Tour de Tucson Saturday Nov. 21.

Biking was just added three years ago to the BTE program in Tucson.

“We’d really like a biking group to get started in Green Valley/Sahuarita with BTE,” Wong said.

BTE’s program is designed for walkers, runners, and cyclists of all ages, and they include group workouts, coaching, a lecture series on healthy living, social functions, and a weekly newsletter with tips and information.

All money raised goes directly to research grants for the Arizona Cancer Center.

BTE raised $100,000 in 2008-09, Wong said.

The training sessions start every Saturday from either the Desert Hills or Santa Rita Springs recreations centers, she said, adding that they all head out for breakfast afterward.

“It’s a great source of camaraderie for the women,” she declared, “and we’d like to have more men out there.”

Since August of 2000, BTE has raised more than $1,000,000 and 2,800 participants of all ages have crossed the finish line — like Alice Slater, 79, a breast and colon cancer survivor who still does most of the events.

“I’m so grateful that I’m able to do this at all, considering how my health has been,” Slater said.

If you would like to join in the fight, Wong said, just call her at 625-0159 or Sandy Bird at 399-1511, and you can get more information at www.arizonabte.org.

Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.