SEQUIM — The Olympic Medical Center Foundation raised $382,000 at its 21st annual Harvest of Hope for the Sequim Cancer Center.
The money raised Saturday at the event presented by Sound Community Bank and the Arrow Marine Group at Guy Cole Events Center in Sequim will go toward the OMC Cancer Center Patient Navigator Program and for equipment at the OMC Cancer Center, said Bruce Skinner, foundation executive director, in a press release.
The patient navigator program provides basic living expenses for low-income cancer patients.
The foundation also presented the Rick Kaps Award to Barbara Cammack, who, along with her late husband Jim and son Joe, has been the biggest supporter of the patient navigator program.
The Kaps Award — named for the former Sequim High School basketball coach and educator who died of cancer in 1998 — is presented annually to an organization or individual who has contributed to cancer and overall health care on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Karen Rogers, a foundation executive committee member and the Harvest of Hope emcee, gave the survivor speech on behalf of her husband Jim, who is being treated at the OMC Cancer Center. She has been one of the cancer center’s leading fundraisers over the last nine years, and has been a donor every year herself.
“The great news is that patients can be examined locally instead of having to travel out of the area,” Rogers said.
The Foundation has contributed over $3.8 million for the Cancer Center.
“OMC and the foundation is thankful for all of the support that it has received from hundreds of donors who have contributed towards this effort,” Rogers said.
“We also really want to thank our sponsors. Because of their support, every penny raised at Harvest of Hope goes toward the treatment of cancer,” Skinner said.
Persons who are interested in more information or in making a donation to benefit local healthcare can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email them at bruce@omhf.org.
