We like and support the efforts of a 37-year-old downstate man to raise money to fight cancer.

Jake Cherwinski is walking from the Upper Peninsula, end to end, raising money along the way. It’s the second consecutive summer he’s taken on the task. His family, Cherwinski said, has been impacted by the disease.

“I have an older brother, and about 12 years ago he was diagnosed with leukemia – I have watched him battle that. I also have several aunts and uncles with some form of cancer,” Cherwinski said for a story that appeared in the Sunday edition of The Mining Journal.

Last year, he walked 465 miles and raised $5,320. This year, he expects to walk a few miles less – about 400 – but he’s hoping to greatly increase his fundraising. And, so far so good. He raised about $7,000 alone in a kickoff event in Ironwood. His walk will conclude at the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. His personal fundraising goal is $10,000.

In a variation on last year’s theme, Cherwinski plans to hold four mini walks within the overall trek, including Marquette on Aug. 14 and Munising on Aug. 20

We encourage readers to seriously consider a donation to this cause. People can donate or register for one of the events by visiting www.End2Endcancer.org, or the End2End fundraising page on Facebook.

Mining Journal (Marquette)