Oregon Cancer Ski Out

Fellow supporters of the Ski Out,

What an incredible beginning for the year 2009… the biggest snow storm in forty years and a world-wide recession that has left all of us wondering "what will we face next?" All of our sponsors have been hit hard. Some will not be able to support us this year, and others may have to cut back. We understand and are so thankful for their support that we will continue to show them as sponsors. We ask you to give them your buying power so that they and their employees will be able to survive!

Over the last 20 years, we have been good stewards of the almost $556,000 you have entrusted with us. We have never allowed over ten percent of the funds to pay for the Ski Out and its administration; in fact, most years those costs have been around six percent. That amount of money may not sound like so much, but let me tell you how really “BIG” just some of those dollars have been:

• In 1993 the Ski Out provided the funds to recruit Dr. Brian Druker, now the head of the Oregon Knight Cancer Center. He’s the first researcher to develop a very successful non-toxic treatment for cancer, called Gleevec, which he did after he came to Oregon. He has brought millions of dollars to OHSU, including the most recent $100 million grant from Phil and Penny Knight, founders of Nike.
• OCSO funds have been used to buy Willamette Falls Hospice nurses laptops that are hooked to the Internet so that they have the most current information on each one of their patients when they are in their homes providing care. This is especially critical in the administration of medication insuring quality care in these people’s final days. Last year we gave GPS units to the entire staff so that they could respond quickly to patients needs, at the same time saving cost on fuel and wear and tear on vehicles. OCSO monies also insure that Hospice services are available to anyone, without regard to them having insurance or the ability to pay. No one, or their family, should have to face death alone because of a lack of money.
• When children are struck with cancer there is no greater emotional impact on a family and Candlelighters has been the backbone of bringing all of them together. Ski Out money has been used in the past to support fund raising efforts that has seen an increase in their budget that is five times larger than when we began giving them resources. In recent years our funds have been used to provide emergency support to families in need of having the rent paid, or utilities, gas for all the trips to the hospital. Even families with good resources and fiscal management, cannot keep up with the high cost. The last thing they should have to face is money issues!
  

WARNING, HERE COMES THE PITCH:  With the shortage of funding coming from the business community, we have to ask YOU to consider what you might do to help. Maybe you host a party with friends like Texas Hold’em and take 15%, 25%, or even 50% of the pot for the Ski Out; Bingo, at a buck, or five-a-card; maybe a casino night. It doesn’t have to be at your home, got a neighborhood bar? Do a raffle at work. Have a bottle drive. Host a lunch at work. BE CREATIVE, get other’s to help you! At the very least collect some money from your friends, family, co-workers, any way that is legal, and submit the money in the “Bucks-to-Buck Cancer” campaign that we run every year (consult the Web site; www.cancerskiout.org).

We’ve got a little over a month left, so please get busy. Blessings and peace to all,

Chad

Founder, Oregon Cancer Ski Out