750 will go distance in woman’s memory

A woman whose life was shortened by breast cancer will be well represented in Spokane’s first Race for the Cure.

Lisa Gyllenhammer died in January at age 36. More than 750 people plan to participate on her behalf in the fundraiser for breast cancer research Sunday.

“It’s a tribute to Lisa,” said her sister-in-law Shannon Stiles. “It’s a statement to how many lives she touched. She only got to live for 36 years, but she packed a lot in.”

Race for the Cure, a 5-kilometer event in which participants can walk or run, starts at 7 a.m. Sunday at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Nearly 4,000 people are expected to participate on 94 teams, including the one representing Gyllenhammer.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire will kick off the event, and she will walk the race with friends, a spokeswoman said.

Gyllenhammer was a third-grade teacher at Shiloh Hills Elementary School. She left behind Joe Gyllenhammer, her husband of 11 years, and three sons, ages 10, 8 and 5.

TEAM LISA, the largest registered for the event, has raised more than $30,000 for breast cancer research, Stiles said. Team members will wear bright yellow T-shirts designed by Gyllenhammer’s brother, Chris Stiles.

“This fundraiser just feels like the right thing to do,” Stiles said. “Lisa, she was one to get up and do something about issues, not just sit around and fret, and this is what she would have wanted.”

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure, held worldwide, raises money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

The money raised will be used to support life-saving programs throughout Eastern Washington and pay for international research initiatives, foundation officials said.

Up to 75 percent of the funds raised stay in the area to finance education, treatment and screening programs. Eastern Washington’s fundraising goal was $100,000.