Cancer Network hosts annual fundraiser

PLAINS - The Cancer Network of Sanders County held their annual fall fundraiser on October 5 at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Patrons were able to purchase advance tickets or tickets at the door for wine and beer tasting with the help of Doug Wagner of Glacier Sun Winery in Kalispell. The night consisted of beer and wine tasting, dinner, and both a live and silent auction.

“I haven’t done a head count, but I think there is just slightly fewer people here than last year,” said CNSC President Kathy Miller. “We’ve had so much conflict with other events, it doesn’t surprise me.”

This year’s annual event had to compete with several events leading up to the fundraiser.

“You know people just don’t have the money to go to everything,” Miller said. “Although Sanders County residents are very generous despite all the state statistics that say we rank near the bottom economically.”

This year, residents were able to raise nearly $7,000 for this event from the auctions and ticket sales.

“I think the people of Sanders County are good to the cancer network because the money stays at home,” Miller said. “Ninety-six percent of all the money we raise goes to residents, the other percent goes to our cost for our newsletter and postage.”

As the patrons filed into the pavilion they were able to walk through both sets of auction items and the raffle. The raffle has been an on-going fundraiser for the organization and thanks to help from community members, Sanders County businesses, and Sherry McCartney, who made a beautiful quilt with colors representing all types of cancers, the group was able to raise $2,000 since May.

Miller was also very enthusiastic in announcing a new fundraising event this year hosted by Rehbein Ford called “Drive 4 UR Community” an event which allowed participants to test drive vehicles and fill out a small questionnaire that earned the CNSC $20 per participant.

On display was a check from Rehbein Ford for $2,120 from community members who had taken the time for the test drive. Well short of Ford’s $6,000 limits on the “Drive 4 UR Community” event.

“We essentially left $4,000 on the table,” Miller said. “I don’t care if you are a Chevy, Toyota, or Subaru driver, come test drive a Ford and get us $20.”

The CNSC was also pleased to announce a generous gift from “Cowgirls Kicking Cancer” in the amount of $2500. Rae Herman, the organization’s president announced to the crowd the work that had been done and the place erupted with applause and cheers.

For the night’s event, the CNSC did not have to spend a single penny for the event thanks to sponsors who were displayed on banners throughout and even more who did not have banners.

“Since 01/01/01 CNSC has given 594 gifts for a total of $197,050,” Miller said. “Our motto has always been the more money we raise, the more money we give. If you haven’t heard, we have, as of September first, been able to raise the amount we give from $500 to $600. Thanks to all of you and many others who have so generously given to our cause.”

The hundred dollar increase goes to help support families in need during their cancer treatments for things that insurance doesn’t cover – lodging, food, and gasoline to get to and from treatments.

“Cancer treatment is expensive,” Miller said. “Even if you have insurance there are things that insurance doesn’t cover and we try to help with that. Our $600 is just a drop in the bucket for the total cost of treating cancer. But the people are so grateful for the help.”

The admittedly long-winded Miller caught her breath. A choked up silence came from her throat.

“I had to make sure I was able to read the letter,” Miller said. “You hear these stories and read these letters and you can’t help but to cry.”

Miller began to tell the story of one cancer patient from Sanders County. The letter came from a woman whose husband was battling cancer. They did not have the gas to get to and from Missoula for his treatments and asked for help. The organization turned them down – saying there was no money “for things like that, and besides they both had jobs and shouldn’t need help.” The crowed groaned with disgust that an organization designed to help people would say such a thing.

Broke, embarrassed and feeling ashamed the couple turned to their priest for help. He took them to the local filling station and the owners, Stu and Joyce, gave them a certificate for a second tank of gas.

“Father Mike also gave me $50, so that I have cash,” the letter read. “In just a few days we would have been fine on payday.”

The letter’s author was glad to see the CNSC in action and to know someone was making a difference.

“I am so happy to see an organization in place so that does not need to happen to anyone else over again,” the letter continued. “It’s humiliating to ask for help, especially if you have never in your 48 years had to do that,” the author continued. “We had always managed very well until, as anyone who has been through this can understand, you finally hit the bottom, up short, no matter how well-planned the budget may be.”

Enclosed, the author left $25 for the CNSC wishing only to have such an organization while her family was going through the same thing that many other families are going through, struggling with the dreaded disease.

The room filled with silence – small sobs came from the crowd touched by the story, many having known the troubles of dealing with the deadly disease.

“It’s these kinds of things that makes me feel what I am doing is making a difference. If I weren’t I wouldn’t be doing it,” Miller said. “To hear how grateful people are that they can get their medicines – or not have to sell off their firewood to pay for an expense is why I do it.”

The group’s next fundraising event will be the lantern launch on New Year’s Eve. It’s an opportunity for families to help the CNSC and to have a family friendly event set to start at dark.

“We do it early enough it won’t affect evening plans for New Year’s,” said Miller. “We hope everyone can make it out.”