File departments, Kiwanis collecting for Doernbecher

This Saturday and Sunday, motorists and customers at the Cathlamet Market on Main Street and the Chevron Station on SR 4 will encounter volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in uniform asking for donations for the Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Research Program (KDCCP).

Fire and ambulance crews from the Cathlamet Fire Department (CFD) and Wahkiakum Fire Protection District 4 (FD4) are teaming up with Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet members to raise funds used to hire post-doctoral level cancer research specialists at OHSU’s Doernbecher Cancer Pavilion to defeat deadly cancers in children.

The collection was originally planned for last weekend but was recheduled because of snowfall.

Fire commanders expressed enthusiasm for being able to participate in the 2014 campaign and vowed to beat the 2013 Boot Drive donation of $4,586, according to a press release from the Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet.

The Wahkiakum County board of commissioners on Tuesday passed a resolution proclaiming February as Kiwanis Doerbecher Children's Hospital Cancer Program Month.

"I can say that Doernbecher saved my daughter's life when she was born," said commission Chair Dan Cothren. "I can't say enough about Doernbecher."