It's simple, really. We raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Our benefit started in 2002 in honor of our mothers. Mike's mother passed away in 1998 as the result of a cancerous brain tumor, and I lost my mother in 2001 due to cancer of the liver. Over the past 13 years, we've watched my grandfather, his grandfather, my grandmother, and my aunt succumb to this disease and it's complications.
Earlier this year, Mike's father was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone major surgeries and intensive radiation. And although our benefit was started in honor of our mothers, watching Mike's father as he has valiantly battled this horendous disease makes us even more determined to increase our efforts and to do more.
Each year since its inception, our benefit has grown bigger. We now have corporate sponsors, a silent auction, a prize raffle, and a great turnout that night in addition to the donations coming in from those who can't attend that night but want to make a difference. In 2008, we raised almost $10,000 because of the generosity of our families, our friends, their friends, and people we don't even know who are willing to support our cause.
In the grand scheme of things, $10,000 is not a lot of money. We know that we aren't changing the world and that we aren't even making a huge impact through our efforts.
But we're here. And even though it's not a huge impact that we're making, it's an impact nonetheless. We enjoy organizing the benefit, enjoy seeing our family and friends all together on that night, and enjoy knowing that we're doing something good. So that someday maybe there will be one child who doesn't have to watch their mother die from such a horrible disease, as Mike and I did.
If you or someone you love has never been affected by cancer and what it can do, you're lucky. And probably in the minority. We're just trying to do our part so that hopefully someday cancer will be a rarity--the exception instead of the norm.
Thank you for your time, your donations, and your interest.
Shawna Locke