Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund's annual fundraising activities concluded Saturday with the gala at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club.

Proceeds from this year's fundraiser totaled more than $160,000 - a new record - through the fashion show, golf benefit and the annual gala. Chairwoman for the event was Luann Deafenbaugh and co-chairman was Thomas M. Tuttle II.

KCCCF is dedicated to eliminating the suffering from cancer through research, prevention, education and service. KCCCF is made up of volunteers and gives 100 percent of the money raised each year to cancer patients. No funds go to administration fees.

Deafenbaugh kicked off the gala, saying, "Tonight represents a milestone for cancer care -Êit's the 10th anniversary of this gala. I see new faces, but see many faces year after year. It reaffirms my belief that Kosciusko County is a great place to live and raise a family.

"The gala was born out of the personal needs of people faced with cancer. Over the past nine years, we've raised more than $800,000 and spent more than $750,000 on patients. All of the money we raise goes to individuals who need it. Thanks to K-21 Foundation, we have no administrative expenses."

K-21 Foundation processes all requests and distributes the funds.

Carol Lyn Jansen, chairperson of the gala committee, presented Deafenbaugh with a bouquet in honor of her 10 years of service to KCCCF.

Chuck Niemier recognized the sponsors and gave the invocation. He said, "In whatever we end up doing and whatever we do with our lives, service is the real pathway to success. We get there by the grace of God. Service is our ministry, and through service we learn the true meaning in life."

Niemier introduced the speaker for the evening, Col. Steve Dodds, one of the founders of the Cancer Care Fund who today is fighting brain cancer.

Dodds said, "Recognize for my sake all the people who are fighting cancer. I want you to fight very hard. Focus on all the folks fighting cancer: immediate families and primary caregivers; extended families who support primary caregivers; all the friends and relatives who lend support to all the caregivers and families; and the doctors and (other medical professionals). And we need organizations that provide financial support; you folks are a great example of that. Thousands - an armyÊ- are supporting me."

New to this year's fundraising activities was the purchase of a glass of champagne to receive a chance to win a pair of diamond earrings donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Allen of Allen's Designs. The activity was sold out.

The oral auction was conducted by Rex Schrader, Schrader Auction & Real Estate. Items and their donors included: Chicago Bears package, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Niemier, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Stell and Omer Kropf; gourmet dinner, Caleb France and Nate Munson of Flying Fish-Cerulean; Golden Retriever puppy, Pam Brickley Hann and Janet Zimmer of Paws 'n' Claws; Majestic Triple-toon pontoon, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Barrett of Smoker Craft Inc.; Christmas in Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lowe; Winona Lake progressive dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Polk, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Katris and Dr. and Mrs. Durecki; "Day at the Spa" package, Janelle Montel and Linda Mills of Expression Salon and Day Spa and Scott Woods of Noa Noa Wood Grill & Sushi Bar; Ramada-Oakridge Boys package, Ramada Plaza Entertainment Complex and Steve and Bruce Shaffner; Grossnickle eye surgery, Grossnickle Eye Center.

Twenty-nine items were donated for the silent auction; Harmony Visual Communications donated the invitations; Bob List Photography provided pictures; Biomet Inc. donated the programs; Tippecanoe Lake Country Club donated the dinner at cost; and Anderson Greenhouse donated flowers at cost.

Diamond sponsors were DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. and Kosciusko County 21st Century Foundation. Platinum sponsors were Chuck and Lois Niemier and Sroufe Healthcare Products LLC. Gold sponsors were Bodkin Abstract Co. Inc., Daren Industries Inc., Kosciusko Community Hospital, Lake City Bank, Paragon Medical Inc. and The Biomet Foundation. Silver sponsors were Bob List Photography, CTB Inc., Explorer Van, First Federal Savings Bank, Grossnickle Family Eye Center, Jansen Orthopaedic Clinic LLC, Key Bank, Maple Leaf Farms, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Rinker Boat Co. and Zimmer.

While the fund does not directly cover medical costs, it will provide assistance with other expenses, such as rent/mortgage payments, utilities, food, insurance, medicine and other needs, including detection and screening programs. For more information, call the Center of Hope Cancer Care Center at Kosciusko Community Hospital, 574-372-3800. Donations may be mailed to KCCCF at Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, P.O. Box 1809, Warsaw, IN 46581-1809. [[In-content Ad]]