SA Cancer Council Has Record-Breaking Fundraising Year Despite Pandemic
Mays Cancer Center Annual Report
The SA Cancer Council, our volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Mays Cancer Center in the fight against cancer by providing financial resources for patient assistance services and cancer research, has broken its previous record of total funds raised in a single year. This past year, the members raised a phenomenal $437,343 despite the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to this historic year-end donation to the cancer center, the SA Cancer Council also made a $500,000 pledge to support the construction of the UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, scheduled to open in 2024. This new hospital (of which 75 percent will be dedicated to cancer care and research) will be connected to the Mays Cancer Center by a climate-controlled skybridge over Floyd Curl Drive and will offer specialty care for patients in our region with cancer and other complex diseases.
“With our nearly 350 members and volunteers in the Council, we decided to simply ‘roll up our sleeves’ and be as creative as possible to ensure the ongoing success of our two major fundraising events in 2020 despite the many obstacles we faced,” explained Cheryl Wright, 2020 president of the SA Cancer Council. “We all pulled together to make it happen with the help of our many generous supporters and friends in the community.”
The Council’s annual Spring Luncheon – now called the Beacon of Hope Luncheon – was moved to a virtual event and featured a panel of specialists and a patient discussing the revolution in cancer immunotherapy research. The highly anticipated virtual event was attended by more than 300 supporters. The Council also transitioned its annual Cure Cancer Card fundraiser to a “total online platform” which helped to cut costs and reach a broader audience. The popular shopping card was sold for a $50 donation and entitled the purchasers to a 20 percent discount, during the 10-day shopping period in the fall, at participating area retailers and restaurants.
Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ, which has supported the SA Cancer Council with its Pink Cup fundraising campaign since 2015, also set a record this past year by raising an unprecedented $94,672 to support breast cancer research at the Mays Cancer Center. Rudy’s BBQ added a new feature in 2020 with $10 BBQ coupons given to every patron who made a $5 donation. This proved to be a very popular part of their fundraising efforts to benefit the Council and build awareness.
“Cancer does not stop for a pandemic and neither does the SA Cancer Council,” exclaimed Dr. Ruben Mesa, executive director of the Mays Cancer Center. “We are amazed and blessed by the Council’s boundless energy, commitment, drive, and determination to make a profound difference in the fight against cancer.”
We are deeply grateful to the SA Cancer Council for its steadfast dedication and hard work. Because of their tireless efforts, Council members have now donated more than $5.6 million to support the Mays Cancer Center over the past 37 years.
If you are interested in joining the fight against cancer, please consider becoming a member of the SA Cancer Council by visiting SACancerCouncil.org or by calling (210) 450-5571. Together we will continue to make a profound impact on our community and beyond.
| Current SA Cancer Council Board of Trustees | |
|---|---|
| Mary E. Downey President Dianne Dorsett President-Elect Cheryl Wright Immediate Past President Susan Albert Marketing, Communications and Technology Committee Kristin L. Beno Fundraising Chair Linda Ellsworth Bookout Asst. Chair. Membership Holli Brunsman Secretary Lori Campbell Cure Cancer Card Committee Karen Cannon Chair, Policies & Procedures Sherry Christofilis Cure Cancer Card Committee Mary Beth Eckert Co-VP, Marketing, Communications and Technology Clara Ernst Chair, Membership Anne Foster Cure Cancer Card Committee Judy Gilby Asst. Treasurer Lisa Grove Chair, Spring Luncheon Marisa Jackson Asst. Chair, Spring Luncheon Sandy Klein VP of Operations Debby Long-Shirley Chair, Cure Cancer Card | Karri Lusk Chair, Volunteer Committee Linda McMillion Grants Committee Sheri Ortiz Asst. Chair, Circles of Hope Ginny Peacock Chair, Board Governance Cathy Ritter Asst. Chair, Patient and Family Services Caroline Rose Asst. Chair, Book & Author Luncheon Libby Ross Co-Chair, Patient and Family Services Debra Salge Grants Committee Lauren Sanditen Asst. Chair, Cure Cancer Card Missy Stagers VP of Development Kathie Thrift Asst. Chair, Grants Ann Vineyard Chair, Circles of Hope Agatha Wade Chair, Grants Anne Warner Co-VP, Marketing, Communications and Technology Heather Duncan Webb Chair, Book & Author Luncheon Marty Williams Co-Chair, Patient and Family Services Mary Wofford VP, Membership Engagement Shannon Wurster Treasurer |
