On Sunday, Aug. 14, Duvall cancer survivor and Cedarcrest High School Alumni Katie Bunker will be taking part in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s 50 mile bike ride around Lake Washington to raise money for cancer research.

The Fred Hutch fundraiser, Obliteride, is a weekend featuring bicyclists from around Washington, who will raise money and ride around the Seattle area in a variety of routes for different skill levels.

Bunker, a Duvall native, will be riding the 50-mile route from Seattle heading south around Lake Washington, crossing the east channel, looping around Mercer Island, and heading back into the city. Bunker has already raised $1,420, surpassing her $1,000 goal for the ride.

“This is actually the first year I’m doing it. I’m very excited and recruiting people as much as I can,” she said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds go to cancer research at Fred Hutch.”

Bunker was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2004 when she was 13 years old. During her time receiving treatment from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Bunker was so inspired by the nurses who took care of her during treatment that she decided to pursue nursing.

That inspiration led her to graduate from the University of San Francisco with a degree in nursing. Bunker has since returned to Washington and is a pediatric oncology nurse in the Cancer Care Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“It’s a very challenging career, mentally and emotionally, but it’s so rewarding and children are so resilient and it makes the things you are going through seem so minute,” Bunker said. “I am hoping that will motivate me and excite me while I’m climbing up the hills at mile 40.”

To donate to Bunker’s effort, visit obliteride.org/riders and search for Katie Bunker.