SECCI Cancer Support Group Hosts Annual Fundraiser Golf Tournament

 

Teams will tee off at Spreading Antlers Golf Course the morning of Saturday, June 9th, raising funds for the 10th Annual SECCI tournament.

Southeast Colorado Cancer Initiative began in October 2001 when local residents, Cathy Buxton, Larry Bauer, Tim Courkamp and Delaine Rushton formed the group to help defray transportation and related expenses for local cancer patients. SECCI offers some funding for patients who must travel to Pueblo, Colorado Springs or Denver for radiation treatments, chemotherapy or other continuing medications.

There is no other cancer support group in this area that offers funding to help local residents for expenses related to their travels or overnight lodging. SECCI cannot offer financial assistance for direct medical care.  Overall, the group donates a monthly average of $1,200 in gas expenses alone and does it only through donations and fundraising events such as the annual golf tournament.

Tera Bender, one of the organizers said, “This is our big fundraiser. We usually see about $14,000 from this event to help us through the year.”  She said the organization is also starting to use a non-profit site on Amazon for persons who wish to donate, either directly or in memory of a friend or loved done.  “We have seen a little more activity around Christmas, but it can be used for donations at any time of the year,” she explained.  Bender added that they will see some new clients ask for assistance, but the cancer treatments are usually on-going, sometimes lasting for a year or more so a request for help may not be limited to just one payment.

Nine teams have signed up and there’s room for nine more with the entry cost at $400 per team. Action gets underway on June 9th with a four person, shotgun scramble.  A continental breakfast will be provided, courtesy of Daylight Donuts; Theron Hammer or Mike Beard of Ed Jones Financial Consultants usually alternate purchasing the golf balls in the tournaments and Tera Binder and Norma Swanson will provide the luncheon meal.  Val Baldwin will assist in raising funds out on the 5th hole as in year’s past.

Since December, 2017, SECCI has raised $208,169.49 to donate to those persons and families in need and any amount can help as the requests for aid will continue. Bender said the tournament is the one big event of the year, but anyone can help out with a donation, becoming a tournament sponsor or putting in a team by calling Bender or 688-2436 or Val Baldwin at 688-2420.  The entry deadline is Tuesday, June 4th.

By Russ Baldwin

Filed Under: City of LamarConsumer IssuesEventsFeatured

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