In 2008, Annie Sellas, Cathy Stockton, and the late Nancy Varner, co-founders of the Believe Walk recruited a small group of committed women within the Inland Empire to form a Believe Walk advisory committee, “Inland Women Fighting Cancer”. United by the Believe Walk mission, their goal is to raise critical funds to advance cancer care in Southern California. IWFC partners with Stater Bros. Charities to provide event vision, fundraising insight, and project development to the Believe Walk each year.

Courtesy Photo

 The 18th Annual Stater Bros. Charities Believe Walk took place on Sunday, October 5, in historic Downtown Redlands. Participants strolled along a family and dog-friendly 5K route lined with fun-filled entertainment including live music and motivational cheer groups.

Pre-event festivities included a Survivor and Thriver Celebration held at Ed Hales Park to honor cancer survivors and to offer support and resources to those currently diagnosed with cancer, and a Bark and Believe booth for canines. Immediately after crossing the finish line, walk participants entered the Believe Bash and were welcomed by over 55 vendors and music from a live band. Cancer survivors took part in a survivor photo, a dove release, and rang the survivor bell.

Stater Bros. Charities is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and takes great pride in ensuring the net proceeds from the annual Believe Walk go right back into those communities to support cancer-fighting programs and services for cancer patients and their families. Since 2008, the Believe Walk has invested over $11.1 million in cancer-fighting organizations throughout southern California.