Stamp Out Breast Cancer called a success

MOSES LAKE - Members of the community spent the night making crafts and helping breast cancer victims and survivors Saturday at the Fourth Annual Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event.

The event was held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake.

"We're hoping for 80 to 100 people this year," said organizer Jan Przybylski, who helped found the event in 2004.

The evening started off with volunteers cutting their hair for Locks of Love and stories from guest speakers, including a breast cancer survivor and a high school student whose aunt survived breast cancer. A silent auction was held, and participants spent until midnight making crafts at 15 tables.

The activities were led by volunteers, who donated time and materials, Przybylski said.

Moses Lake resident Lani Riojas led an activity where participants made handcrafted key chains.

"(The event's) for breast cancer, and who doesn't know somebody with cancer?" Riojas said.

She added that one never knows who might get cancer, and the people who need the assistance benefit from the event.

"Plus, you get to hang out with your friends," she said.

Przybylski said 120 items were donated to the auction this year, compared with 69 donations last year.

Fran Hayes brought her friend Linda Hayes to the event, where they were seen bidding on items.

"(Fran) said they had this going on, and it sounded like a lot of fun, and it's for a good cause," Linda Hayes said.

Linda Hayes said she is a fan of rubber stamping in particular.

Fran Hayes said this was her third year attending the event. She attends each year because her father died of cancer. She said several friends had breast cancer, and she enjoys volunteering with Moses Lake Cancer Foundation Executive Director Jan DeBeaumont.

At the event, volunteers Belinda Alaniz, Shantel Acevedo, and Stacie Sand donated roughly 34 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The organization makes wigs for children who have suffered hair loss.

Alaniz, who helped found the event, said she donated her hair because those who benefit include children who lost their hair to cancer.

Acevedo said it was her first time donating to Locks of Love, and the idea to do it came last-minute.

"My aunt (Belinda) conned me into it, and it's going to a good cause," the youth said.

Sand said it was her third time donating her hair to Locks of Love.

"I've had a lot of friends die of cancer," she explained.

In 2006, $4,700 was raised for the Moses Lake Cancer Foundation during the Third Annual Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event, according to Przybylski.