Event raises $67,000 to fight breast cancer
The Event at Rebecca Farm raised $67,000 to fight breast cancer in the second year of its Halt Cancer at X program, organizers announced this week.
About $13,000 was raised through $5 spectator parking donations at the 12th annual equestrian event in July. More than $50,000 was raised through pledges by competitors and other donations.
“Like my mom did when she was alive, I take serious pride and ownership in what we have created at Rebecca Farm,” said Sarah Broussard, organizer of The Event at Rebecca Farm. “From competitors who went door-to-door asking for pledges to the generous community who donated at The Event, I am grateful for the tremendous support so many have given in this endeavor.”
The Halt Cancer at X committee is determining how the money will be distributed to both local and national organizations. It will announce the 2013 funding recipients during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Last year, $50,000 was awarded to a national research project that seeks to provide means to more effectively manage breast cancer malignancy.
“Because of the generosity of Halt Cancer at X donations, we can already claim significant and direct contributions to the advancement of our breast cancer research,” said Dr. Mario Capecchi, professor of human genetics and biology at the University of Utah and a winner of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 2007. “We are grateful for the support of basic research into this disease that still takes far too many of our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.”
In addition to that research grant, $7,500 was given to the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation’s cancer services video series.
“The ‘Introduction to Chemotherapy’ video was completed and is shown to all new patients starting chemotherapy as part of patient education programs,” said Lynn Andenoro, manager of the Northwest Oncology and Hematology Department at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. “Patients and staff members have found the video very informative and motivational. We are very grateful to Halt Cancer at X for make this video project possible.”
The Kalispell Regional Hospital Foundation Paul Bass Fund’s “One2One for Cancer Survivors” scholarship program also received a $7,500 award in 2012. The One2One Weight Loss program at The Summit started in October and has helped 49 people lose a total of 316 pounds.
Five of those members are breast cancer survivors and three have used a Halt Cancer at X scholarship.
“More important than the weight loss, One2One members have learned about and integrated the health habits required for a long, happy and vibrant life — eating whole foods, getting ample sleep and being active daily,” said Christy Ewing, leader of the program and a certified wellness coach and personal trainer.
“One2One members have overwhelmingly adopted new behaviors and gotten rid of old, unhealthy ones and along the way have become empowered to move closer to being their best self.”