by Lynn Hunt
I am blessed to be part of a great running group that is always up for an adventure. This particular adventure began with several of the group discussing what races we might want to participate in this next year. I had said that I would never want to run another half marathon, but someone mentioned the Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll Run that was history. After talking my husband, Rob, into going to Las Vegas (not much arm twisting there) and signing us up for the half marathon (not happy), we will be on our way in just a few short months.
But we’re not just going to Las Vegas to run just for the fun of it; we are running for a good cause – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
I’ve always known about St. Jude from the commercials Marlo Thomas, “That Girl,” has done for years and the St. Jude Dream Home give-a-way each year, but I hadn’t really thought much more about it other than buying a ticket to win the Dream Home. By agreeing to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, I am honored to help in some small way to better the lives of the children and families affected by cancer.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90%, and they won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
While you may not be able to run a half marathon in Vegas to help St. Jude, there is something you can do right here in Bowling Green. Make plans to attend the Gold Ribbon Gala Concert and Silent Auction on September 13 at 6 p.m. at LaGala, located at 601 State St. It will be a great evening of fun, food, music and more. Music will be provided by Shi’Ann Jones of NBC’s The Voice, Dustin Collins, #1 Billboard Country artist, local artist Lydia Murphy and others. All proceeds from this casual concert event will be donated to St. Jude by way of Rockin’ For A Cure.
Every dollar donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital counts! When you purchase a ticket to the Gold Ribbon Gala, buy something at the silent auction or make a donation, you money could go toward…
- Infant care supplies including diapers, baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, footies, and heel warmers (Supply for 10 babies, $50)
- Wagon: Wagons can make traveling through the halls of St. Jude easier for parents and more fun for a young child. $70
- Parties to celebrate birthdays, holidays and “coming off chemo.” $75 (Neither cancer nor treatment stops for these special days)
- Meals: St. Jude provides meal cards so that patients and families can enjoy the comfort and convenience of good, nutritious meals in the Kay Café at the hospital. $210
- One day of oxygen: Oxygen is key to keeping the immune system strong. A gift of oxygen can help a young body thrive and fight cancer at the cellular level. $447
- Airfare for a parent and child: For a patient referred to St. Jude, the hospital covers the cost of airfare for a child and one parent or guardian. $1,000 average
These are just a few of the many things that are needed to keep the fight against childhood cancer going.
As the Gold Ribbon Gala approaches, many have donated time, advertising dollars, products and talent to this great cause. As of this release, event sponsors include LaGala, WNKY, SOKY Happenings Magazine, Vid Monster, The Downs Insurance Agency, Hunt Auctioneers, Weichert Realtors, BG Sip and Paint, L&N Train Depot, SNP Crafts, Be Happy Yoga and Salt Cave, Bowling Green Ballroom Dance, Shi’Ann Jones (NBC’s The Voice), Dustin Collins (#1 Billboard Country Artist), Lydia Rae Murphy , and a few special guests who will be performing throughout the night of fun and silent auctions.
I want to thank you in advance for your support of this great event. To purchase tickets, scan the QR code within the ad, visit goldribbonbg.eventbrite.com, or visit our Facebook page at .