SEQUIM — The Olympic Medical Center Foundation raised a record $372,000 at its 20th annual Harvest of Hope.
The fundraiser, presented by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Sound Community Bank, was held at Guy Cole Events Center in Sequim on Sept. 30.
Funds will go towards equipment and services at the OMC Cancer Center.
In addition to funds raised for new equipment for the cancer center and a new CT Scan machine, attendees also contributed $35,000 to fund the Cancer Center’s Patient Navigator program, which provides basic living expenses for low-income cancer patients.
The foundation also presented the Rick Kaps Award to The Sunland Ladies Club, which presents the Sunland Drive for the Cure Golf Tournament held each September that benefits cancer treatment.
The Kaps Award — named for the former Sequim High School basketball coach and educator who died of cancer in 1998 — is presented annually to an organization or individual who has contributed to cancer and overall health care on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Leslie English was the event’s cancer survivor speaker. She had a cancerous tumor removed at OMC in 2007, and since then, she and her husband, Monte, have sold more than $70,000 in raffle tickets at OMC Foundation events.
The record amount was made possible by raising $186,000 in sponsorship sales, auction and fund a need income, and other fundraising during the event.
That would have been a new record amount of money raised in itself, but that amount was matched by a generous gift from the Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation, headed by Lee McGraw, formerly of Sequim.
The money will be used to fund the Cancer Center’s Patient Navigator program, equipment for the cancer center and a new CT Scanner.
“The great news is that patients can be examined locally instead of having to travel out of the area,” said Karen Rogers, Harvest of Hope chair, said in a foundation press release.
“This is the top-of-the-line CT Scanner,” said John Troglia, OMC’s Director of Radiology. “These machines can provide a full body scan in mere seconds. This is a huge win for patients, thanks to the incredible speed and accuracy of these machines.”
The OMC Foundation has contributed more than $3.5 million to the Cancer Center.
“OMC and the Foundation is thankful for all of the support that it has received from hundreds of donors who have contributed towards this effort,” Rogers said.
“We also really want to thank our sponsors; because of their support, every penny raised at Harvest of Hope goes toward the treatment of cancer,” OMC Executive Director Bruce Skinner said.
Those interested in more information or in making a donation are encouraged to call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144 or email bruce@omhf.org.
