By Brittany Llorente
Staff writer
MARTIN COUNTY - When a co-worker passed away this year from cancer, the employees from Seacoast National Bank stepped up to show their support of their friend and colleague.
Siobhan Watson died in June after a 10-year long struggle with lymphoma.
Ms. Watson worked at Seacoast National Bank until she could no longer work, only leaving because of her declining health.
While remembering Ms. Watson, Leslie Warren, the manager of the Seacoast National Bank Wedgewood branch, said that Seacoast employees needed to do more this year at the Cherish Life 10K Run to benefit the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.
"This will be the third year that we are water sponsors," said Ms. Warren, who became involved with the race through the race founders Jon and Harriett Blakeslee.
"We needed to have a bigger involvement," Ms. Warren said. "I sent out an email to see if anyone would want to run or walk in memory of Siobhan."
The response was plentiful and heartwarming.
Ms. Warren said that the participation just shows that the Seacoast employees are invested in their community.
"One of our promises that Seacoast gives to the customers is that we invest in you and your community," she said. "We all live by those promises and it means even more because (Siobhan) was one of our own."
The race will take place at 7 a.m. on Sept. 15 from Peace Presbyterian Church, 4881 S.E. Cove Road, Stuart.
Awards will be given to overall male and female, masters male and female, and first, second and third place runners in five age groups from 10 to 80. Everyone who participates will receive a medal.
The race winds through Rocky Point and has raised more than $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Anyone interested in running or walking the 10k can sign up at cherishlife10k.wordpress.com.
For more information on the race, contact Jon Blakeslee at (772) 341-7491 or via email at jblakesl@yahoo.com.