From golfing in drizzles and downpours to donating cash by the hundreds and thousands, the community came out in force to support the Chris Elliott Fund last week.
The grand total is still being calculated, but an estimated $50,000 was raised for brain cancer research and another $20,000 for education and program development, Executive Director Dellann Elliott said.
“I just want to thank them all for coming together and making a giant impact on brain cancer research,” said Elliott, a Sammamish resident.
The Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research (CEF) held its annual golf tournament, dinner and auction on Oct. 3 at the Golf Club at Newcastle. Elliott and her husband, Chris, had the idea for the organization three weeks before Chris died of brain cancer. Since that time, Dellann Elliott has worked with many others to raise funds for research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and also to help patients and their families get information and treatment.
Those at the events included people who knew Chris Elliott as well as many others who simply want to support the effort to cure brain cancer and support Dellann Elliott.
Golfer Ryan Kettman of Bellingham got connected with the event through his job at Pacific Medical.
“Obviously there’s lots and lots of people that are affected by cancer in their lives,” said Kettman, who was participating for his second year. “Anything local, statewide or national that can contribute to finding a cure is very worthwhile.”
Fellow golfer Pamela Roberts of American Family Insurance in Issaquah, agreed. Roberts said she met Dellann Elliott through BNI Networking and was there to support her cause.
About 145 men and women participated in the golf tournament, and about 365 attended the dinner and auction. Among other auction items, some attendees paid $300 per table for fancy martinis; $1,800 for a golden retriever puppy, $4,000 for a trip to see the Mariners at spring training and $6,000 to ride and stay with the Seahawks during their game at Tampa Bay, Fla.
Elliott announced that the Snoqualmie Casino will be partnering with the CEF, donating all the proceeds from one gaming table to the organization beginning in 2009.
Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson told the crowd of the tribe’s long-term goal of being a good partner and neighbor to the community, and shared that his wife, Kathleen, was diagnosed with a glioma in 2003.
“She, I think, is very lucky and I am very lucky,” Mattson said.
Emcee Matt Morrison, whose daughter, Marin, has brain cancer and is a well-known swimmer and source of inspiration, spoke briefly before helping auctioneer John Curley kick off the action.
“I’m one of the family members, along with my wife, Nancy, who knows just how much this means to families affected by cancer,” Morrison said.
Dr. Ron DePinho of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute gave those who attended a glimpse of what the research dollars are funding.
“I’m here on behalf of the patients that you’re helping,” DePinho said. “Look to your right and look to your left. One of you will develop cancer in your lifetime.”
DePinho said that researchers have used money provided by the Chris Elliott Fund to identify the genes that cause glioblastoma and similar types of brain cancer.
“You are making a tremendous impact,” DePinho said. “You are supporting the right thing at the right time, and you’re making a difference.”
To learn more about the Chris Elliott Fund, the event or its sponsors, visit www.chriselliottfund.org.
