SECCI “Fight Night” is a way to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those we’ve lost

The Second Annual “Fight Night” sponsored by Southeast Colorado Cancer Initiative (SECCI) will be held Saturday, August 2 at the Pocket Park in downtown Lamar.  The event is a social gathering and fundraiser to support SECCI’s efforts in the fight against cancer. The night is dedicated to “celebrating survivors, supporting fighters, and honoring the lives of those we’ve lost” in support of local cancer patients across Southeast Colorado.  Every dollar raised stays local to help assist those fighting cancer.  Doors and vendors open at 5:30 pm.  The opening ceremony will be held at 6:00 pm with an invocation by Ian Blacker and remarks by Brent Bates, SECCI President, and Megan Baanhoffman with the BBB Foundation.  From 6:30 to 8:00 pm, there will be a social hour and giveaways.  Giveaway prizes, which were donated for the evening, include Denver Broncos tickets, gift baskets from local businesses, a hand-painted guitar by Art by Leandra, a 4-person round of golf at The Raven Golf Club in Silverthorne and 2 dozen tamales from Rosa’s Tamales. Live music provided by JUDI will be from 8-10 pm.  This year’s event will feature several food vendors – Pica Dulce, Mami’s Kitchen, Rosa’s Tamales, Jerry’s Doghouse, and Nena’s Lemonade.  Alcohol will not be served or allowed at the event.  Ty Harmon is donating his DJ services for the evening and Jay Gruber and JUDI are donating their time as well.

SECCI was founded in 2001 by the late Cathy Buxton and several other people as a way to help cancer patients with transportation costs associated with treatment (The Buxton family owns Wallace Gas and Oil), as well as to provide a safe and supportive environment for persons affected by cancer. By 2023, the group was on the verge of dissolving due to members aging out or passing away.  Unless someone new stepped up to resurrect the group, plans were to donate the remaining assets to hospice and disband.  Brent Bates lost his mother to brain cancer in 2012, so this was a cause that was near and dear to him.  “I saw it as a way to give back and honor my mom’s legacy” he said in explanation of why he took on the project.  Since the other people who also agreed to become board members had less experience, Bates was chosen as President due to his numerous community service positions he’s held (he is a current Lamar City Council board member and serves on numerous local boards).

SECCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by corporate and private donors as well as through fundraising events such as Fight Night.  They receive a generous yearly donation from the BBB committee from proceeds raised at their October “Beers and Brats for Boobies” 5K event.  Bates said they are currently working on applying for grants for 2026 in hopes of being able to expand on the services they offer to cancer patients.  Currently, the group has 3 ways to provide funding to these patients.  The first is a one-time emergency payment of $250 for persons newly diagnosed with cancer.  It provides immediate financial assistance for some of the unexpected expenses these people are facing. All that is needed to receive this payment is filling out an application. The second (and ongoing) assistance is via the “fuel fill up” program, in which patients living in Lamar can stop at Wallace Gas and Oil on their way out of town for treatments, doctor appointments, tests, etc. to fill up.  They sign a charge ticket that goes to SECCI, who pays for the fuel.  Thirdly, for return trips or patients who live outside of Lamar (the group serves Prowers, Baca, Bent, and Kiowa counties), receipts for gas purchased elsewhere are submitted to SECCI for monthly reimbursements. The fuel programs require documentation from a doctor listing the patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan.

SECCI wants to extend thanks to the sponsors who help make the night possible.  They include:  Colorado Mills, Ace Tire Service, Community State Bank, Thoughts in Bloom, GN Bank, City of Lamar, A-1 Rentals, Main Street Shoppe, DeLoach’s Water, Robinson Printing and The Prowers Journal.

By: Barbara Crimond