This year’s Run for Hope, a 5K walk and run to raise funds for cancer prevention studies and clinical trials at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, takes on greater meaning for people associated with the event because of how this disease has affected their lives.

The 23rd annual run to honor Terry Fox, the late Canadian runner and amputee, begins with registration from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and the race at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Best Western White House Inn in Hampden.

Ramsey Lafayette, son of hotel owners Danny and Carla Lafayette of Hampden, continues on his road to recovery from melanoma, after having been diagnosed with the disease last fall, reports Peter Daigle, chief operating officer of Lafayette Hotels.

Melanoma patient Lisa Alley of Hampden “hopes to run in the Run for Hope, with the encouragement of her oncologist,” Daigle reported, adding that “we wish her a good run.”

Daigle also pointed out that “our friend, Michael Crowley, vice president for development at Eastern Maine Charities and former Bangor mayor, is fighting a battle with cancer,” and that past Terry Fox Run for Hope honoree Peggy Youngblood “died last year after a long battle with cancer.”

Last year’s event raised $13,000 and Daigle reminds you that “the money is spent locally to help Maine people.”

More than $51,000 has been raised in just the last five years, and more than $100,000 in the past 22 events.

All expenses are covered by the Best Western White House Inn or donated by sponsors so that “100 percent of your money goes to help fight cancer,” Daigle added.

For more information about how you can participate, or become a sponsor, call the Best Western White House Inn, 862-8008, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bangor author Stephen King has donated a signed copy of Book IV of “The Dark Towers” series, titled “Wizard and Glass,” for you to bid on at Rape Response Services ninth annual fall festival auction and awards night beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Jeff’s Catering on Coffin Avenue in Brewer.

A signed copy of “Return to Peyton Place,” the latest work of author Barbara Delinsky, is also included in a bag of books, or you can bid on a 2005 limited edition “Canoe Hullabaloo” print by local artist Jan Owen.

Other auction items include a full-size newly hand-tied and hand-sewn antique quilt, pottery, lodging and skiing opportunities, and much more in this fundraiser featuring a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

Sue McKay, who has a marvelous way of getting attendees to bid up and up, returns as the auctioneer, and the Janet Badger Volunteer Award and Teal Ribbon Award will also be presented during the evening.

Tickets are $10 each, $15 for two or $60 for a reserved table of eight, and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 941-2980 or e-mailing rrsdir@raperesponseservices.com.

Proceeds benefit Rape Response Services, which serves Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and offers a toll-free hotline (800-310-0000) and other services for people affected by sexual assault.

On behalf of Eastern Maine Camera Club, Sally Arata invites the public to a gallery talk by Sara Grover and a meeting of EMCC at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow Street, in Bangor.

Admission is $5.

Grover’s talk will offer an in-depth look at the rare, 100-plus photographs in the Ansel Adams Exhibit, “Celebration of Genius.”

Bangor “is the only New England city where this outstanding exhibit appears,” Arata wrote, “and only one of seven galleries in the U.S. to host this fabulous collection.”

If you are unable to attend this informative meeting, but wish to view the exhibit, the museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5.

We’ll have more information about this fundraiser nearer its date, but Mary Clift wants readers to know that advance tickets are available for the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary Fall Fashion Show, which is planned for Tuesday Oct. 11, at the Bangor Civic Center.

Advance tickets are $25 and are available at Patrick’s Hallmark in the Broadway Shopping Center, by calling the hospital development office, 262-1740, or by calling Marie Demaso at 947-5700.

Tickets at the door the day of the show are $30 each.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.