Doctor headlines annual breast-cancer benefit luncheon

The annual Louise Burk Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon in Eureka on Friday once again features a presentation by Dr. Melissa Hulvat, the co-director of the Bass Center-Breast Surgical Oncology at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Prior to coming to the Flathead Valley, Hulvat practiced for 10 years at the medical facilities of Loyola University, where she spent five years in a residency in general surgery. She also completed a one-year fellowship in breast disease at Northwestern.

“She will be an inspiration to all of us,” said Marianne Roose, luncheon co-chairwoman. “She provides an opportunity for attendees to ask questions at the end of her presentation.”

 A Lincoln County Commissioner, Roose co-founded the event as a memorial to her mother, Louise Burk, who died in 1989 three months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Scheduled as usual on the Friday before Mother’s Day, the luncheon takes place at noon at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Eureka.

The event provides a fun environment to inform both men and women about self exams, annual mammograms and annual clinic exams. It also includes memorials to Burk.

“Louise Burk was well-known for her baking and cooking skills, so the brochure always includes one of her family’s favorite recipes,” Roose said. “This year it will be Grandma Burk’s sugar cookies.”

 In past years, the lunch has attracted about 250 people from the Tobacco and Flathead valleys and beyond.

For $7, guests enjoy a salad bar, rolls and dessert while learning the latest information about breast cancer. Each person attending receives a gift bag filled with information and favors.

“We’re selling $5 raffle buttons for a chance on two gift baskets,” Roose said. “The winner does not have to be present to win.”

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Wings, a local nonprofit group that helps cancer patients pay non-medical expenses such as transportation and hotel expenses.

“In 12 years, we have donated over $65,000 to Wings,” Roose said.

She and her friend Lynette Starling organized the first luncheon. They now serve as chairmen of a core committee that includes Daisy Yerian, SheeLa Beeman, Dorothy Newton, Jeanie Roo and Vicki Lyons.

The Louise Burk Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon has 13 corporate sponsors. Tickets are available at the door as well as Glacier Bank of Eureka, Whitefish Credit Union of Eureka, First Interstate Bank of Eureka and Jodi’s Quilts N’More.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.