Cancer Center’s Signature Fund-raiser to be held February 19

Area residents are invited to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s Winter Benefit Saturday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m., at the Marina Inn Hotel and Conference Center, South Sioux City, NE.“The theme, “Stars & Angels Among Us – Fight Like the Irish,” was chosen as a way to honor the many cancer patients, cancer survivors and those who care for them for their strength, courage and the way in which they touch the lives of others,” said co-chairs, Deb Smith and Denise Wilson. Nominees and recipients of the awards will be honored during the evening.2011 marks the 13th anniversary for the event, which has grown to be the cancer center’s signature fundraising event, raising nearly $190,000 last year. Guests at the Stars and Angels-Irish themed benefit will enjoy an Irish themed dinner and beer tasting, live Irish music, live and silent auctions, and the Star and Angel awards program. Auction items include a trip to the Aventure Lodge in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota from Gunderson’s, an Apple computer and iPad from Pyramid Technologies and a family pass for 4 for a year from Main Street Theatres - Promenade.This year’s event will fund the “Get Checked” program, free colon cancer screenings for the underserved in Siouxland. Proceeds from last year’s benefit helped over 500 women obtain free mammograms and over 200 low-income men and women obtain a colon screening.“These free screenings will truly help hundreds of people receive the necessary test to screen for colon cancer,” said Pat Hubbard, director of fund development. “Having a colonoscopy at age 50 can help find and diagnose cancer early enough to save lives.”The cancer center educates nearly 6,000 people on the need to quit smoking and precautions to take to prevent skin cancer. It also conducts screenings for: prostate, skin, breast, oral head and neck and colon cancer. As well as distributing over 500 wigs and hats, 750 books, videos and pamphlets on skin, breast, testicular and other forms of cancer. The Cancer Center receives over 1,500 phone calls and visitors to the resource room.To purchase tickets to the Winter Benefit please call 712.252.9352, email hubbardp@jencc.com or visit www.nylencancercenter.com.