More than 60 people already have signed up for a bootcamp at SportsFit Training Center hosted by Nikki Julmist, gym owner and personal trainer.
All proceeds from the bootcamp won’t be going SportsFit however, instead the money raised will be donated to Mary Beth Beuke to help with her expenses while she continues her fight against colon cancer.
“I was completely surprised that Nikki decided to do a fundraiser,” Beuke said. “I know she’s (Julmist) a very community-minded and supportive person, but had no idea she was doing this.”
About the bootcamp
The upcoming bootcamp to raise financial support for Beuke is not Julmist’s first charity bootcamp, but it is her first medically oriented one.
“I hope to make this the biggest and best charity bootcamp yet,” Julmist said.
The bootcamp is open to all people at any age and level of fitness. The fitness center is equipped with multiple tools for working on both muscle strength and enhancing cardio. Depending on the weather, Julmist may even have an outdoor station.
Although the bootcamp is $10 per participant, any additional donations will be accepted and contribute toward a campaign goal set by Erin Huff, a longtime friend of Beuke’s.
The challenges
Huff created an online campaign about one month ago to raise funds for Beuke with a $25,000 goal. More than $10,000 already has been raised, but funds from the bootcamp hopefully will give the campaign a needed boost, Huff said.
Huff is one of many friends to spearhead support for Beuke while she undergoes intensive treatment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Beuke is nearly half way through the seven-week treatment period in Seattle where she receives radiation and chemotherapy multiple times a day with only the weekends to come home to Sequim.
“The most challenging part is trying to manage everything and keeping up with my three great, but very active kids,” Beuke said.
Beuke, a single mother, has sixth-grade twins and a daughter who’s a junior at Sequim High School. In addition to a family to care for, Beuke has a house payment, car payment, daily expenses and a business, West Coast Sea Glass, to maintain.
A strong support system
Beuke first was diagnosed with cancer roughly two years go, and now in the midst of her second round of treatment after the cancer reoccured, she has a friend who gets her mail, a friend to help with grocery shopping, a friend to assist with general house upkeep and Huff who is raising money to help alleviate some of the financial burdens while Beuke is unable to work.
“I know she’s still paying medical bills from her last treatment,” Huff said.
Beuke and Huff joke that if Beuke were ever to run for office, she would want Huff as her campaign manager.
“I have the world’s greatest friends and insane support system,” Beuke said.
Although support is in abundance the sacrifices Beuke is forced to make have and continue to be frustrating, Beuke said.
Just recently Beuke had to opt out of an upcoming book-signing trip for her book, “The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass,” published last week.
“The book has been about 10 years in the making,” Beuke said. “I didn’t know how significant the book project was going to be because I didn’t realize how sick I was going to get.”
However, Beuke is trying to make the best of her time in Seattle and feels fortunate to be able to stay at a friend’s downtown condo on the 21st floor overlooking the skyline, Beuke said.
Within another few weeks it is hoped doctors will have shrunk the cancerous tumor in order to perform surgery on Beuke, which then would be followed by an eight-week recovery.
To keep family, friends of those of interest informed, Beuke maintains an online journal at www.caringbridge.org/visit/marybethbeuke. Also, the “Love Us Some Mary Beth” campaign can be visited at www.gofundme.com/8vyguo.
Fundraiser bootcamp to support Mary Beth Beuke
When: 9 a.m., Saturday, June 14
Where: SportsFit Training Center at 1102 E. Washington St.
Cost: $10. All proceeds go to “Love Us Some Mary Beth” campaign
More info: E-mail Erin Huff at battleaxel@msn.com or visit www.facebook.com/events/1401145666840017/.
Reach Alana Linderoth at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
