BURWELL, NE – This Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th, 2026, is Burwell non-profit Sandhills Strong’s 5th Annual Save the Pumpkins 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk.
Both days of the event will take place at the Hitching Post in Burwell. Friday Oct. 23rd will include a vendor show and race packet pickup from 4pm to 7pm. Saturday Oct. 24th is the 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk with a 10am shot gun start. The day will also include a pancake feed, silent auction and vendors, then at noon awards will be given out and a live auction to follow.
The event is dedicated to helping in the fight against cancer by bringing the community together to raise awareness, show support, and make a meaningful impact.
Sandhills Strong Co-Founder and Breast Cancer Survivor Lindsy Roberts says part of the proceeds will go to a new cancer screening program they started with two local hospitals last year.
Roberts says the first come first serve screening program at both locations help individuals receive free screenings for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer lab work, mammograms and ultrasounds.
Recently, the program received two separate donations of $20,000. Roberts talks about who those donors are.
Roberts adds that with the $40,000 in donations, that could potentially help 20-30 individuals needing screenings.
Those wanting to support this effort can participate or attend the annual Save the Pumpkins event in Burwell this Friday and Saturday.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we took the time to get Roberts breast cancer story. She was diagnosed at the age of 32 with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer.
She just recently celebrated 3 years of being cancer free.
Roberts tells us even genetic testing couldn’t explain why she got cancer at such a young age.
Roberts encourages both men and women, to get their regular screenings and get checked out if they suspect something is wrong, as it could make a big difference when caught early.
After Roberts was diagnosed and started treatments, she decided she wanted something positive to focus on. That’s when she created her non-profit organization Sandhills Strong.
As one of their very first events, they held the 1st Annual Save the Pumpkins event.
To find more info about Sandhills Strong, the Save the Pumpkins event, and the Save the Pumpkins screening program go to sandhillsstrong.com.
