Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity, last year’s CANCER EVENT raised over $33,900 +
in-kind donations and we were able to help 14 cancer patients. We are so grateful to all of you
who made this a success! This will give cancer patients of Deuel County much assistance and
to help provide donations to Avera and Sanford Cancer Research Programs in hopes of finding
a cure one day.
We hope you will consider donating to this worthy cause, in the past 20+ years we have raised
over $602,000 and have helped 300+ cancer fighters in our community. Our goal each year is
to raise funds to help cancer fighters in need, raise awareness of this devastating disease and
help find a cure. If you can support our cause that would be awesome. As in the past we will
have our different levels of sponsorship but will accept any donation you are able to give.
In addition, corporate sponsors, team sponsors, in-kind sponsors, donations, and prizes are
needed to make this event a huge success! Volunteers are always needed and welcome.
Our Team
ABOUT US
New Hope for Cancer Committee Members:
Colleen Boeke
Dayna Weltzin
Linda Wiekamp
Lori Buchholtz
Jean Wiekamp
Cathy Willemssen
Miriam Reppe- Not Pictured
Officer:
Abby Ruhd – President
Kay Giesel – Vice President
Patsy Cassels- Secretary
Jenae Schake - Treasurer
History
Goals
Organization
1998—3 women from Deuel County attended the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Watertown. On their way home, they started asking each other, “Why don’t we do this in our own county?”. . . . . and so it began.
Donna Gieser formed a committee and they had the first Relay for Life—an all night walk-a-thon at the Deuel School track. Teams were formed, set up themed camp areas, and signed up for someone from their team to walk at all times during the night. The event was very successful, and continued on.
On July 17, 2001 Deuel County Chari-ties was formed and became incorpo-rated wanting to operate similar to a Grant County group—who ran their own event and kept the money locally. New Hope for Cancer is under the aus-pices of Deuel County Charities. The New Hope for Cancer has operated un-der this framework from that time on.
New Hope for Cancer has three goals: awareness, hope, and help. Each year we raise funds to help cancer fighters in need, raise awareness of this devastating disease and help find a cure.
Raising money for this event helps bring the issue of cancer and its impact on all of us to the forefront of people’s minds. On the night of our event Cancer Ribbons are hung in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of loved ones who died from can-cer. It is a very powerful reminder of how many lives are touched by this disease. Opening ceremonies begins with a “Survivor Victory Lap” for cancer survi-vors. Seeing these people in our commu-nity who have battled cancer and are sur-vivors is such a sign of hope.
Anyone in Deuel County who is diag-nosed with cancer may apply for monetary help. A very simple one-page form needs to be filled out confirming the diagnosis. A check is then written to that person. We all realize the many expenses that come with medical issues—especially if you need to travel to have treatments.
We have about 12 committee members. We meet once a month at St. Paul's Lutheran Church or DNB National Bank Building, generally the 1st Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
New Hope for Cancer in the past 20+ years has raised over $540,000 and has helped 100+ cancer fighters in our Deuel County community. Money is raised through corporate sponsorships, team fundraising, ribbon sales and various fundraisers all year.
Our “23rd Annual Event” will be held on Friday, August 2nd at the Clear Lake Community Center. This event raises funds which are given directly to Deuel County cancer fighters as well as a small amount to research and operating funds for next year’s event.
Anyone that is interested in getting involved in our committee is welcome.
We appreciate your support!