Saving those pumpkins

SANDUSKY — More than 500 people participated in the Save Your Pumpkins 5K Run & Walk event on Saturday in Sandusky. In the actual race, Jack Fisher and Molly Scheon finished first in the male and female divisions, respectively. Hosted by the North Coast Healthcare Collaborative, this annual event raises awareness and generates funds for breast cancer while supporting each organization's individual foundation. The North Coast Healthcare Collaborative consists of The Bellevue Hospital, Firelands Health, Fisher-Titus Medical Center and Magruder Hospital. These locally owned, independent hospitals have chosen a path of collaboration over competition in order to improve health care in the region and achieve long-term financial stability. All proceeds from the event will be equally split to benefit the foundation at each of the North Coast Healthcare Collaborative health systems. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this event takes place each year in October. According to Ohio.gov, 1 in eight women in the U.S. who live to be age 85 will develop breast cancer. The collaborative and those representing it encourage people to regularly receive screenings and check-ups for breast cancer. People can contact these organization's foundations for more information.