The 15th annual Ellsworth County Cancer Fund event takes place beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Ellsworth Recreation Center.
This year, according to ECCF Chair Deb Mog, it is not a triathlon as in years past, but a celebration.
“We did kind of change some things up this year, hopefully to get more people there,” Mog said. “Ellsworth County has been affected by cancer, everyone has been, so we’d like to see a lot more people, so we’re doing some things that are different this year.”
These include a cornhole tournament and a disc golf tournament.
At 5 p.m. both tournaments begin, as does the local cancer survivor’s roasted hog meal.
At 6 p.m. the opening ceremony takes place, starting with a prayer, the National Anthem sung by Avery Holechek and Zoe Wimmer and guest speaker Grace Bohnen, Wilson.
Bohnen, the daughter of Krista and Todd Bohnen, Wilson, is currently waging her own ongoing fight against cancer.
There will also be a live band, the Rockets, from the Wilson/Holyrood area, playing just about any kind of music.
As in years past, teams will have games to keep the kids occupied and the survivor’s lap will take place.
“We just want to keep everyone busy,” Mog said.
A concession stand will be available and luminaries will be sold and lit at dusk.
“Whatever is left over from the meal, we’ll take to the concession stand and they can have pulled pork sandwiches along with hot dogs and hamburgers and nachos and all of the good stuff we usually have,” Mog said.
All events will take place outside of the Recreation Center.
According to Mog, the all-volunteer ECCF began 16 years ago, with just a banquet for local cancer survivors at the Ellsworth Golf Course.
“That’s when Bill Finke was our guest speaker,” Mog said.
Why does the ECCF do what it does?
The answer is simple according to Mog.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of support and we’ve helped a lot of cancer patients and their families,” she said. “That’s why we do this.”
Mog said when she had cancer, she didn’t need help.
“But there are people, that even with their deductible, it’s pretty high,” she added. “I’ve always wanted to be able to help people, whether it’s with the gas mileage to get there, the hotel stays, eating when they’re fighting this, rent, medication, utilities — whatever is their struggle as they are going through this is why we started this.”
Last year, ECCF helped cancer patients in Ellsworth County to the tune of $48,883. So far this year, that number is at $12,000-plus.
Mog emphasized that every penny raised by the ECCF stays in Ellsworth County to help Ellsworth County cancer patients.
“We don’t pay ourselves,” she said. “This is all volunteer. We always welcome those who want to come and volunteer.”
For more information on the Ellsworth County Cancer Fund, go to ellsworthcountycancerfund.org or call Mog at (785) 252-7261.