By Clyde Noel

Sandra Bozich, owner of Eyes Optometry in downtown Los Altos, knows she could get pretty dirty this Saturday, when she tests her skills in an adventure race benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The event takes place at Lake Castaic in Southern California. Bozich will be challenged with a six-mile trail run followed by a 15-mile mountain bike ride and then a three-mile kayak segment.

In addition, there will be 10 mystery events that her team of three competitors will have to tackle during the race. Previous challenges have included rolling through a mud pit and scaling a 12-foot wall. To make it more difficult, Bozich will have to do all this at night.

Bozich is a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training. The non-profit organization trains people to do extraordinary things in return for their raising funds for research.

In exchange for the “fun and games,” Bozich has promised to raise $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her expenses related to the event are underwritten by Seagate Technologies of Scotts Valley.

“I had a close friend die of cancer three years ago, and I want to do as much as I can for the cause,” Bozich said. “In addition, it will help me meet other people and stay fit.”

Bozich has mailed or e-mailed more than 100 letters asking for help in the quest to find a cure and save lives. To show her commitment, she has “auctioned” herself off as a slave for a day.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, based in White Plains, N.Y., is the fastest-growing volunteer health organization with a national presence. The society’s mission is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

To contribute, mail a tax-deductible contribution to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The address is: Eyes Optometry, 215 Main St., Los Altos 94022.