Annual memorial lunch planned Friday in Eureka

 The 14th Annual Louise Burk Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon takes place at noon Friday at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Eureka.

Dr. Melissa Hulvat, the co-director of the Bass Center-Breast Surgical Oncology at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, again will present the keynote address.

“She will present an educational program as well an update on breast cancer,” said Marianne Roose, luncheon co-chairwoman. “She provides an opportunity for attendees to ask questions at the end of her program.”

Free baby sitting is provided.

 A Lincoln County commissioner, Roose co-founded the event with friend Lynette Starling as a memorial to her mother, Louise Burk, who died in 1989 three months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The event traditionally takes place on the Friday before Mother’s Day,

Each year, the lunch 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 Dumplings.”

 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 nonmedical expenses such as transportation and hotel expenses.

“In 13 years, we have donated over $75,000 to Wings,” Roose said.

She and Starling now serve as chairwomen of a core committee that includes Daisy Yerian (Burk’s daughter), Shee La Beeman (Burk’s granddaughter), Dorothy Newton and Jeanie Roo. Burk’s son Dale provided the brochure and presents the luncheon prayer.

The Louise Burk Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon has 13 corporate sponsors. Tickets are available at the door as well as at Glacier Bank of Eureka, Whitefish Credit Union of Eureka, First Interstate Bank of Eureka or from luncheon committee members.