Don Stevenson, Auburn’s Pacin’ Parson, is preparing to take another walk for a good cause.
The 74-year-old Stevenson will embark on a 1,200-mile trip around the state, “Walking Washington for the Breath of Life,” to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). He is dedicating the walk to 10-year-old Cullen Steele who is anticipating a possible double-lung and heart transplant because of pulmonary hypertension.
The goal is to raise $75,000 to help cover medical costs for Steele, who lives in Kent with his family. Steele attends Holy Family School in Auburn.
Stevenson officially begins his walk from Auburn City Hall at 8 a.m. July 6. The walk around the state includes scheduled stops in Winthrop on July 13, Kettle Falls on July 20, Pullman on July 27, Walla Walla on July 31, Washougal on Aug. 11, Chehalis-Centralia on Aug. 14 and Tacoma on Aug. 17.
Stevenson plans to end the walk at the Auburn Avenue Theater at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20, just before the “Buddy Holly” benefit concert, proceeds of which will benefit Steele.
COTA was founded in 1986 to help families pay transplant-related expenses.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an incurable, life-threatening disease which, in many cases, requires a lung transplant to extend life.
Steele has a central line going into his chest, and a pump from his backpack administers medicine to his body every six minutes, Stevenson said. The medication has greatly improved his quality of life and has temporarily delayed the need for lung and heart transplants.
Stevenson also is dedicating his walk to a personal friend, Betty Mayfield, who is afflicted with PH.
Stevenson is a former teacher, pastor, volunteer, firefighter, truck driver and Marine. He has logged about 45,000 for charities since 1998.
In 2008, he finished a 13,000-mile walk – from Seattle to New York City – for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and for a friend affected by the disorder.
In the last 11 years, Stevenson has performed many benefit walks for various charitable organizations and people with physical challenges, birth defects and debilitating diseases, namely the Alzheimer’s Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Huntington’s Disease Society, Spina Bifida Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Maria Federicci Trust Fund, Special Olympics Organization.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
• To contribute online:
• Phone: 1-800-366-2682
• Mail: 2501 W. Cota Drive, Bloomington, Ind., 47403; e-mail, cota@cota.org.
• Web site: www.cota.org
Note: COTA does not charge for services and does not take a percentage of funds raised. COTA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
FINALE TO DON’S WALK
A “Buddy Holly” benefit concert will be held in Cullen’s behalf at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Auburn Avenue Theatre, 10 Auburn Ave.).
Buy a ticket to help Cullen continue receiving the precious breath of life. Call 253-200-5905
