Perhaps the best way to understand someone’s plight is to walk a mile in their shoes. This Saturday, Jim Shannon of Clanton plans on walking 25 miles in the shoes of cancer survivors to help find a cure.

Shannon will begin his walk March 27 at 7 a.m. at the Clanton City Park track. He hopes his effort will inspire people to donate to Relay for Life.

“For people with cancer, going through treatments is tiring and weary, and sometimes you might want to give up, but you’ve got to keep on keeping on. I wanted to symbolize that struggle,” Shannon said.

Shannon, the pastor of Lime Springs United Methodist Church and an assistant principal at Chilton County High, has become known for his unique fundraising methods. These have included staying on a man-lift for 96 hours, sitting on a toilet in front of the church for 48 hours, and being locked in a makeshift jail for 72 hours.

While Shannon’s shenanigans always draw a few laughs, they also raise a good deal of money for the American Cancer Society. He welcomes anyone to stop by the track Saturday and donate, or at least cheer him on.

“I’ll be easy to recognize. I’ll be the one with the bird legs, with my tongue hanging out,” he said.

Shannon also joked that he chose to run at the track because it is close to Angel Ambulance Service, just in case.

He estimates the walk will take about 10 hours. Volunteers from the church will help him count laps. If he can indeed make the 25 miles, Shannon said he might try to run the remaining mile and 385 yards to complete a marathon.

“I will keep going until I finish it. That’s my plan,” he said.

The deadline for donations is April 16. Donors may pledge a certain amount of money per mile or give a flat donation. Checks may be made out to the American Cancer Society. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information, Shannon can be reached at 755-6356 or 217-5183.