Angel Wings participates in Flock Cancer Street Stroll

Members of Angel Wings Network participated in the Flock Cancer Street Stroll that took place in Boise on Saturday, May 13.

 The cancer support group was selected by organizers as a recipient of funds raised during this year’s event, which was created to replace the Susan G. Komen walk that was discontinued about three years ago.

 “Leslie Scantling, the founder of the Flock Cancer Street Stroll, contacted me by email two months ago and said they would like us to be one of the recipients this year,” explained Angel Wings Executive Director Mabel Dobbs.

 The Flock Cancer Street Stroll was launched in 2021 when the Komen organization announced it would no longer host an event in Boise, according to the organization’s website.

 Leslie Scantling and her mother, Barbara Rhoades, took it upon themselves to start a new tradition. They began planning the pink flamingo-themed Flock Cancer Street Stroll along Boise’s historic Harrison Boulevard. Local garden center, Franz Witte, donated its iconic “flock” of plastic flamingos to bedeck Leslie’s front lawn.

 On Saturday, participants strolled on their own timeframe in a loop, up and down the boulevard, enjoyed homeowners’ decorations and cheering sections, and were afforded the opportunity to walk through a balloon arch to ring the pink bell in celebration of cancer survivors, fighters, and all who walk in support and in memory of those touched by breast cancer.

 Every year, the nonprofit organization picks breast cancer support organizations to receive the funds raised through its event. Dobbs said all the funds raised, minus expenses, stay local. Last year, the Flock Cancer Street Stroll raised around $60,000. Angel Wings does not yet know the total amount it will receive from Saturday’s event.

 “We walked for all of our breast cancer patients, but we kind of highlighted our two Trinas,” Dobbs said.

 She referred to Weiser High School girls’ soccer coach, Trine Loenberg, a two-year breast cancer survivor who is also an Angel Wings volunteer. The group of nine from Weiser also included Trina Whittaker who went through breast cancer surgery on Friday, May 12 and then, amazingly, walked at the event the following Saturday.

 “She did really well, was feeling good, and even walked a half mile,” said Angel Wings volunteer Carie Lawrence.

 Angel Wings recently wrapped up its spring Idaho Gives and Online Auction, which brought in a total of $24,400, just short of the $25,000 goal. Dobbs said she expects to hit that mark by the end of May.

 Part of the tally so far came from a single check from the Larry and Mary Ann Williams Family Foundation in the amount of $5,000. 

 “We were really blessed; it came just out of the blue,” Dobbs said.

 The funds are central to Angel Wings’ ability to provide support to cancer patients and families in area rural communities who have been touched by cancer. A 501c3 nonprofit, all donations to Angel Wings are tax deductible.

 For more information about Angel Wings Network, visit www.angelwingsnetwork.net or call (208) 414-9464. For more on the Flock Cancer Street Stroll, visit www.flockcanceridaho.org.