Stomp Out Cancer

It is the last full week in January, which means it is cancer awareness/benefit week at the resort. I have been involved with this event for the five years it has been hosted at Canyon Vistas. I have been more than involved, I have been coordinating it; some years with another person and some years by myself. It is a very successful event for a community of about 1000 residents. Each year the event gets bigger and bigger. 

The first year, 2009, the Red Hat group was approached as the group to organize breast cancer week. I think the week's events consisted of a dance, and maybe another event or two, but the biggie for our part was the walk and luncheon on Saturday. After much discussion and some hesitancy, the Red Hat group hosted the walk. We considered it a successful event when we raised over $7000 for the American Cancer Society through pledges, raffle tickets, and the resort's events.

As with most things, the event grew the next January. The resort's choir presented a concert and all the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. The raffle ticket sales, pledges, and other activities from the week totaled $12,000+.

The third year a sealed bid auction was created for the handcrafted items donated by the resort's residents. Residents were also encouraged to bring items produced in their home states and State Baskets were created for a live auction. Four of us "true South Dakotans" brought donated items and bought SD made items for the state basket. Our basket won the highest auction bid at $375. We were thrilled! The number of volunteers needed to successfully carry out the events also grew. The 2011 donation to the American Cancer Society was $14,000+.

In year four (last year) the focus of cancer week moved from breast cancer to all cancers. Along with the sealed bid and the live auction, a silent bid auction was also held. A group of ladies organized a contest for decorated bras as a new event. Again, the SD State Basket won the highest bid at the live auction going for $600! The walk and luncheon continued to be the finale of the week. $18,000+ was donated to the American Cancer Society.

This year luminaries were an addition. Many of us are familiar with Relay for Life. Well, we are a senior resort so Relay for Life isn't really an option like it is back in our home states. Residents were encouraged to purchase a bag and decorate it in honor or memory of someone affected by cancer. Monday evening was the Lighting of the Luminarias. For those of us attending and participating, it was an emotional experience.

This was taken before the lighting.

The decorated bags were placed in designs to allow people 

walk around and view those honored and remembered.

(Apologies for the blurry photos.)

My dad passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 30, 2002.

These bags are in honor of teacher friends who have been diagnosed

with breast cancer since our retirement in 2005.

Linda was Hubby's Administrative Assistant for

15 years. They planned to retire together in 2005.

Ovarian cancer took her life before she could retire.

The Silent Auction of handcrafted items also took place on Monday and Tuesday. The resort has some very talented, creative, and generous residents.

 scarves, jewelry, mosaic,  purses

wood carvings, needle craft, blanket & quilt

doilies, mosaic mirror, horse-hair ceramics, cacti quilt, drum, painted saw

My bid was the highest on this table.

The abstract colored acrylic top spoke to me.

I will let you know where I end up putting it.

The Silent Bid Auction's proceeds were $1000+; a very nice start to Stomp Out Cancer Week! A Spin the Disc Dance brought Tuesday to a close. The dance total is not complete, and nor is the luminary sales. My biggest surprise at the dance this evening was the $1000 check I received from a non-resort resident. He gave the donation in memory of his younger sister who died of lung cancer. See what I mean by generous people? 

Wednesday is the Health & Wellness Fair and the Decorated Bra Display & Contest. 

I announced after last year's cancer week that 2013 would be my last as coordinator. When I arrive in October or November I begin thinking about, talking about and planning for cancer week. There is an army of volunteers who help at every level. The chairperson for each of the many aspects of cancer week is so well organized; the week runs like a well oiled machine. They and the hundreds of volunteers in this community of 1000 make the week the success it is. 

Events and totals will be continued...