Country Sweethearts: Cancer Foundation holds annual banquet, auction
Carol Jones (left) and Cindi Jackson pose for the Pic Happy photo booth during the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation banquet on Saturday. Jackson beat cancer last year.
Rebecca Wiser (left) gets a donation from a banquet attendee after giving a short presentation at the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation on Saturday.
Sharon Montalva thanks attendees of the cancer foundation banquet for their support. Montalva has been battling cancer.
MOSES LAKE — Around 500 people attended the annual Country Sweethearts Banquet and Auction on Saturday evening at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The event was put on by the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation to raise money to help those fighting cancer.
Featured in this year’s program was Dr. Julie Smith, who talked about the money that had so far been raised for a radiation facility in Moses Lake. The foundation is working with the Confluence Health Foundation to raise $3.5 million. So far, $2 million has been raised.
Smith said that in North Central Washington, 1,200 to 1,400 people are diagnosed each year. As time goes on, that number is expected to rise by 20 percent. But while the numbers of diagnoses are going up, so are the rate of cures.
“I have been blessed to see how cancer treatment has evolved,” Smith said. “It is our vision to bring a radiation facility to Moses Lake. Almost every type of cancer will be able to benefit from the treatments. Now is the time for this to happen. I am proud to be part of the medical community. I want to honor my patients and past patients. They are why I do what I do.”
Sharon Montalva, a current cancer patient, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the contributions the staff give in the form of their time and love to those battling cancer. She also thanked everyone in attendance for their support of the cancer foundation.
A special young lady was recognized during the event. Rebecca Wiser, a 9-year-old from Ephrata, told attendees about the fundraising she has been doing for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. Wiser has lost one grandmother to cancer. Her adopted grandmother is also battling the disease. She has done several fundraising efforts, including making and selling heat and ice packs. She is also trying to get her school to help raise money for the foundation. After Wiser’s presentation, several people came up to her to donate money to her fundraising efforts.
Banquet organizer Angel Ledesma told attendees that the foundation needs more children like Wiser.
“It takes a community,” Ledesma said. “It needs young ones like her.”
The food for the event was provided by Michael’s on the Lake. Chuck Yarbro was the auctioneer.
