LIHU‘E — Not so long ago, the American Cancer Society targeted The Marlboro Man, a cigarette-smoking cowboy, in ongoing efforts to point out the cancer-causing, destructive impacts of tobacco. Again this year, the ACS is reaching out to real cowboys,
LIHU‘E — Not so long ago, the American Cancer Society targeted The Marlboro Man, a cigarette-smoking cowboy, in ongoing efforts to point out the cancer-causing, destructive impacts of tobacco.
Again this year, the ACS is reaching out to real cowboys, paniolo, to lend an authentic feel to the annual Hoedown for Hope, a cowboy-themed fundraiser with special guest Nohelani Cypriano.
The event is Saturday evening at the Kilohana lu‘au pavilion in Puhi, and the goal is to raise $65,000.
Proceeds will be used for service, education, advocacy and research, said Millie Curtis, ACS community manager for income development at the ACS field office in Lihu‘e.
“The American Cancer Society is dedicated to helping people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. With the monies raised through our fundraising efforts, we are able to provide free services to our community,” she said in an e-mail.
“ACS provides airfare to the outer islands for patients’ treatment that is not available on our island. We offer free information to the patients, their caregivers and families to aide them with issues related to their diagnosis,” she said.
“By supporting this event, donors and attendees are helping the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”
There will be live and silent auctions, train rides, live entertainment with dancing, buffet dinner, and much more.
“We will be honoring the family of a very generous donor, not only to ACS but to the community, for his philanthropic act,” said Curtis.
“The event co-chairs (Michelle Emura and Lani Yukimura) along with their committees have worked endless hours and given unselfishly to see this event through to its full potential,” she said.
“One doesn’t always see or know what goes on behind the scenes. You’ll never imagine the hoops and loops the committee had to go through in putting on such an exquisite event.
“This year’s committee is very energetic, full of passion and dedication. I am very grateful for all of them, how they all collaborated, put their ideas together, imagined something and turn it to reality. They are all just awesome.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. They all pulled their own weight,” she said.
Hoedown for Hope is one of three major ACS fundraisers on the island, the others being Relay For Life events in Hanapepe and Hanalei.
“All your donations will help us save lives and create a world with more birthdays,” said Curtis.
For tickets and more information, see www.hoedownforhope.org or call Emura at 639-7209. The event is drug-free and smoke-free.
Researchers with ACS have won 44 Nobel prizes, and donations and research have helped increase survival rates for those diagnosed with cancer, she said.
See cancer.org for more information.
