Carson Tahoe’s HopeFest9 Rocked: Record $225,000 raised to support local cancer patients
CARSON CITY — The Carson Tahoe Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that their annual benefit concert, HopeFest9, raised over $225,000 in net proceeds. The event, which was held at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center on Friday, August 23, raised nearly $100,000 over 2018 event totals.
During the event, Eric Hutchinson captured the audience with his upbeat music set. A moving parade organized by hundreds of Carson Tahoe Health employees inspired the crowd with creative costumes, inspirational messaging, and super-hero balloons for the kids.
For the first time ever, attendees had the option to text-to-vote on the Most Heartfelt parade team, and a panel of local judges gave out oversized trophies for three other categories.
In a surprise, heartfelt grand finale, locals Bill and Kathy Merrill won $10,000 in the raffle sponsored by Dick Campagni Auto Group, then immediately donated the funds back to the Cancer Resource Center.
Prior to the event, the Merrills raised over $8,000 for HopeFest9 by going door-to- door to over 60 houses selling raffle tickets and Walk of Hope signs. Bill, a local realtor, said he was inspired by his community: “My neighbors were so willing to give and that inspired me to keep fundraising.”
Regarding their big raffle win and subsequent donation, Bill shared what the night meant to him and Kathy: “We came to the event in the spirit of giving, that’s what is in our hearts. Leaving with more than we came with was not an option for us. But in the end, we did leave with more—our hearts are full,” said Bill Merrill.
The funds raised every year at HopeFest benefit the critical needs of patients facing cancer that go beyond the hospital walls, including gas to get to treatment, no-cost lodging at the Merriner Cottages, and help with insurance co-pays and life-saving medications.
“It was truly a magical evening,” McKay said. “Since we began this hope mission in 2011, we’ve raised over $900,000. This year was certainly our most spectacular, heartfelt and bountiful year yet thanks in large part to the thousands of dedicated employees and healthcare providers we have here at the hospital, our amazing community partners and event sponsors, as well as the great crowd of attendees this year. HopeFest9 will be hard to top!”
Carson Tahoe Health Foundation wants you to mark your calendars. HopeFest10 is set for Friday, August 21, 2020. Go here to learn more about the foundation.
In the Photo: CTH Employees and their family celebrating HopeFest9. From Right to Left: CTH Employees Dustin Bass, Kathy Merrill, Jenna Clark, Kayleen Mahlberg, Chesnie Braun, and Selvin Marroquin.
About the Carson Tahoe Foundation
Since 1998, the CTH Foundation has been encouraging and accepting gifts of all types that contribute to the health and well-being of Northern Nevada and California. The Foundation was instrumental in the construction of the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, the only cancer center in Nevada to receive a gold level designation by the Commission on Cancer. Foundation efforts helped establish housing for cancer patients in need through the Merriner Cottages. The Foundation Advisory Committee is comprised of knowledgeable, caring staff and volunteers who direct the use of donations for equipment, facilities and services of Carson Tahoe Health. To learn more, go to www.carsontahoe.org.
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