SA Cancer Council Has Record-Breaking Fundraising Year Despite Pandemic

(From left) Heather Duncan Webb, Holli Brunsman and Karen Cannon get ready to load food in a van provided by the SA Cancer Council.

SA Cancer Council logoThe 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.

(From left) Jonathan Barker receives a plaque from Cheryl Wright and Mary Downey to thank Rudy’s for its continued support.

“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.

(From left) Anne Foster and Patty Akkola volunteer at the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K event promoting colon cancer 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

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