$62K raised for Cancer Foundation

MOSES LAKE - Dinner, dancing and an auction Saturday raised thousands of dollars for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation at the Country Sweethearts Benefit in Moses Lake.

More than 150 people took part in the annual fundraiser held at the Grant County Fairgrounds, raising about $62,000 for the Cancer Foundation. The event helps fund various services and programs the foundation provides for cancer patients in Grant and Adams counties, Executive Director Angel Kneedler said, adding this year's event raised about $7,000 more than last year's event.

For David Jordan, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer about nine months ago, events like the Country Sweethearts Benefit shows the overwhelming support in the community.

"The support here is awesome," he said. "Just seeing everyone here supporting the community. There's people I don't even know that have been able to support me. There's still a lot of good, caring people."

Two months after Jordan was diagnosed with cancer, his body began to shut down and chemotherapy treatment wasn't working as the cancer spread to his liver. Doctors put Jordan on radiation, where he had to make the trip from Othello to Wenatchee every day for treatment.

He's back on a different form of chemotherapy now.

"The Cancer Foundation has been helping and supporting me the entire time I've had cancer," he said, adding he's grateful for the support of the foundation and family and friends.

"It's been a long, rough road but I'm feeling better," he said.

Those in attendance were treated to a social hour before dinner and a live and silent auction.

Kneedler said the Cancer Foundation raises about $100,000 each year to help support cancer patients and help with things insurance doesn't cover.

For more information about the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, go to www.columbiabasincancerfoundation.org.