Trending
BAZETTA -- What started in 2011 as a 3-on-3 basketball tournament has grown into a huge raffle-auction to raise money to help breast cancer survivors.
The 13th annual War Against Breast Cancer Raffle-Auction took place Saturday at the Commercial Building at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds with proceeds going to Jenifer Harris of Cortland, a breast cancer survivor.
The first event, the basketball tournament at Chalker High School, was to benefit Beth Ann Vanek of Southington, a cancer survivor who is the co-founder and board vice president of This Means War Against Breast Cancer.
"That first event was very successful so we decided to keep it going," Vanek said. "We've been doing it for 13 years."
Each year, the This Means War Against Breast Cancer board gets applications from breast cancer survivors and "we try to find out who has the greatest financial need," Vanek said.
Before Saturday's event, the organization raised $142,600 in its previous 12 years.
"Every year we beat the amount we raised the year before," Vanek said.
Vanek said: "People have health insurance, but it doesn't cover all the costs. That's what happened to me, and that's why I'm so passionate about it. We have decent health insurance, but when you factor in the deductible and the things that aren't covered by health insurance and travel expenses and
child care, you could really be in financial
trouble."
Harris said she was overwhelmed by the turnout at Saturday's event.
"I didn't even get in the door, and I was crying from all the support and people wanting to help someone they don't even know," she said. "It's amazing to me. I don't think words can express how much it means to me. The outpouring of the love and the care is so amazing. I'm so blessed."
Harris added: "This means the world to me. It means I might be able to breathe again without the fear of losing my house."
There were more than 300 raffle items available at Saturday's event, including a flat-screen television, a work bench, a bicycle, a fire pit, tickets to various events and locations, games, art, gift baskets and gift certificates from area businesses.
Also at the event were live music, costumed princesses and superheroes, food trucks, a bake sale, an archery contest, a mobile mammography van and cow patty bingo.
Those who attended the event said they wanted to do their part to help breast cancer survivors.
"It's a wonderful event," said Melinda Andel of Garrettsville.
"I know how much work and time it takes to organize this. That it helps a family every year is amazing."
Roger Pack of Southington said, "I came out to support the cause. I know people from our community with cancer."
Andy Jarosz of Youngstown, who provided an ATM for the event, said, "It's such an important cause. I come every year."
Lois Wortman of Warren said, "I have lots of friends with cancer, many of them having breast cancer. It's so important to find a cure."