Cancer event has record turnout

$9,925 raised for cancer foundation

MOSES LAKE - Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation received help from the community at the fifth annual Stamp Out Breast Cancer event Saturday.

The event featured speakers, silent auction and craft tables at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

Event co-founder Jan Przybylski said this year's goal was to generate $10,000. She said the turnout was the largest yet, and the event raised $9,925 dollars, $75 short of the goal.

Przybylski said donations to the foundation are ongoing and people are always welcome to contribute.

At the event participants, many clad in pink, the color representing breast cancer awareness, donated $25 for a seat at a craft table. People spent their time working on constructing items such as bead bracelets and bookmarks.

Eight-year-old Savanna Castro busied herself with one of the new activities, cookie decorating, at the table under the instruction of Melissa Sloan. She was asked by event co-founder Belinda Alaniz last year to bring something new to the fund-raiser in 2008.

Przybylski said the event began as a way to raise money to benefit people in the local community who are affected by cancer.

"So much of the activity that has to do with breast cancer awareness and all the different kinds of cancers goes to national activities and events," she said. "We wanted some money just for the people in Grant and Adams counties."

She estimated more than 120 items were available in the silent auction, all donated by local businesses and community members.

Cindy Hayes, co-owner of Eden salon, offered pink hair extensions for $10 with the money going to the cancer foundation.

There was at least one candidate volunteering to have their hair trimmed for Locks of Love.

The evening's theme was "Hollywood Awards," which Przybylski said was intended to convey a message of celebration.

"We're celebrating life, and we're celebrating the lives of women in this community and we wanted them to feel special," Przybylski said.

In keeping with the Hollywood theme, the church interior was decorated like the set of an award show, complete with Oscar-like statues. From the ceiling, tiny mirror balls provided an extra glittery shine and to the left of the stage, was a walk of fame, with a pink carpet, velvet ropes and stars on the floor, containing the names of cancer survivors.

The ornate design was the work of one woman, Lisa Bellomy.

"She single-handedly put this together," Przybylski said.

Warden Mayor Roldan Capetillo was master of ceremonies and his wife, Virginia, is a cancer survivor.

"The fact that she survived, that she's a survivor, means 100 percent to me, and I'll do whatever it takes to help any more other people to be survivors and help whatever we can, to the community," Capetillo said.

Prizewinners during the event were Homer Pillsbury, who won an antique baby carriage, and Audrey Schutte, who won a quilt and the top prize at the Bunco tournament. Bunco is a dice game and the prize included a hotel stay, movie tickets and more.

Donations can be sent to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation at 1418 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA, 98837.