Benefit helps cancer network

HOT SPRINGS – Two residents of Hot Springs were impressed by the generosity of the Cancer Network of Sanders County and to show their appreciation, the duo launched a fundraiser for the non-profit.

Doug Copley and Linda Landrum, who are both cancer survivors, each received assistance from CNSC when they battled the deadly disease.

“We want to give back to them for all the good work that they do,” Copley said.

According to Landrum, over 70 people attended the fundraiser throughout the day.

Landrum was excited by the turn out and the support the community showed for their cause.

“The event exceeded our expectations,” Landrum said.

CNSC assisted Copley in his successful fight with pancreatic cancer. Additionally, they provided Landrum a check of $500 when she began her chemotherapy schedule.  

Noting their willingness to assist those battling cancer, Landrum said the organization plays a very important role.

“They really helped me out. It makes them an extremely special organization,” Landrum said.  

The fundraiser featured a luncheon with a variety of main course and desert items, in addition to organic fruits and vegetables donated to the event.

Good food was not the only thing the fundraiser featured, music was also available.

Local blues guitarist John Kelley was on hand providing the fundraiser with a smooth backdrop of music accompanied by skilled guitar licks on the several guitars the musician brought with him to the nutrition center.

Saturday’s event was the first time Copley and Landrum had worked together to host an event in Hot Springs, but Copley said he was looking forward to hosting future events.

“This is our first one and we are trying to hold it annually,” Copley said.

According to Copley, the decision to hold the fundraiser was made a couple of months ago in July.

Based off of the success of this year’s fundraiser Landrum believes they should be able to host future fundraisers in coming years.

“(Copley) mentioned making it an annual event. I don’t see why we can’t do that,” Landrum said.

As was the case with Landrum, Copley was impressed with the support the two received from the Hot Springs community.

He said he appreciated how the town of Hot Springs had rallied around the event and turned out to show their support for CNSC.

“The community of Hot Springs has been very receptive to the event,” Copley said.  

The main event at the fundraiser was a raffle, where a number of items, ranging from backpacks to gift cards, were up for grabs.

Raffle tickets were sold for one dollar and those interested could put their ticket in cups relevant to the items they liked, improving their chances of walking away from the raffle with something.

Copley said items for the raffle had been donated by a variety of local businesses from as far away as Trout Creek.

Throughout the fundraiser Landrum worked hard running items from the kitchen to the hungry guests in attendance, while Copley circulated throughout the room, greeting those who took time out of their Saturday to show their support.

Copley said the event was able to raise a total of $913 for CNSC.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes donated the use of the facilities for the event.  

CNSC is a non-profit organization, which was founded in January of 2001.

Since its founding the organization has worked to support those affected by cancer in Sanders County.

CNSC has given more than 550 gifts for a total of over $180,000 to cancer patients throughout the county.

The organization has also established an endowment fund to continue this support and currently the fund is at a total over $52,000.

In the past year alone, CNSC has given ten gifts of $5,600 to individuals in Hot Springs.

The event was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 and was organized by both Copley and Landrum.

“The people of Hot Springs made me proud,” Landrum said.