Approximately $20,000 was raised Oct. 9-10, in honor of Liz Karnes, to advance cancer research and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. The recent fund-raising activities supported Liz’s Legacy, which was established in honor of Karnes, an Omaha community leader who died earlier this year after a 12-year battle with cancer.
“It was a special weekend to showcase Liz’s Legacy and the Karnes’ family’s message of hope,” said Tom Thompson, director of development for the Eppley Cancer Center. “Many people in the community became aware of Liz’s Legacy and its mission.”
Fund-raising events included being the sole beneficiary of the grand reopening gala at the newly remodeled Regency Court on Oct. 9; a pre-tournament banquet for eight local pediatric cancer patients with teams in the UNO Maverick Stampede hockey tournament; and a check presentation and on-ice contests for young pediatric cancer patients during one of the tournament game. Liz’s Legacy served as the official charity of the Stampede.
Local companies rallied around Liz’s Legacy to help support the effort. Sponsors of Liz’s Legacy at the Maverick Stampede included: AXA Advisors, Fraser-Stryker Law Firm, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, Wilkinson Manufacturing, DLR Group, Novartis, and Bozell & Jacobs.
“The Maverick hockey team has adopted Liz’s Legacy as an official charity,” Thompson said. “It’s a tremendous relationship between UNMC and UNO.”
As a result, UNO hockey players will begin wearing the Liz’s Legacy butterfly sticker on their helmets as a sign of support for the cause. Dave Karnes was instrumental in helping UNO establish a Division I hockey team.
The grand reopening gala at Regency Court also provided a unique opportunity, said John Lund, owner of The Lund Company. “A number of people said this is the first time we’ve seen a charity involved in a store-opening,” he said. “We’re really glad we were able to do this for Liz’s Legacy.”
Additional fund-raising opportunities for Liz’s Legacy are being planned.
Donations to Liz’s Legacy Fund can be made payable to and sent to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 8712 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 100, Omaha, Neb. 68114. For more information on Liz’s Legacy Fund, go to www.lizslegacy.org.
Pediatric patients become ‘friends for life’ with hockey players
by Bill O’Neill, UNMC public affairs
Cameron Miller had just received a chemotherapy treatment at The Nebraska Medical Center, but all the 4-year-old could talk about was dinner with some collegiate athletes.
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Cameron Miller, right, scoots behind his dad, Jim, to hide from Maine coach Tim Whitehead. |
“He is excited,” said Traci Miller, Cameron’s mother. “All day, he kept asking when we’re going to eat with the hockey players.”
Soon, the hockey players arrived, but Cameron turned shy as a few athletic Maine players tried to find out a little bit more about him. His mom explains that Cameron is a bit tired – he’s just gone through the 21st of 42 scheduled chemotherapy treatments. The hockey players seemed a bit taken aback – suddenly realizing that maybe their afternoon’s skate-around and preceding preseason practices hadn’t been as difficult as what the bald-headed youngster had been through.
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All of the pediatric oncology patients pose for a picture before the pre-tournament banquet. |
The stampede’s official charity was Liz’s Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. The fund was established in honor of Liz Karnes, an Omaha community leader who died earlier this year from cancer. Karnes was treated by UNMC physicians during her 12-year battle with the disease. She, along with her husband, David, have been long-standing supporters of UNMC, as well as UNO’s athletic and academic programs.
During the pre-tournament banquet, David Karnes told the pediatric cancer patients that they were the “VIPs” of the tournament.
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Omaha Creighton Prep student Michael Gerken, right, hangs out with UNO senior defenseman Mike Gabinet before the pre-tournament banquet. |
Michael Gerken, a 15-year-old Omaha Creighton Prep student, was a VIP that was enjoying his time with the UNO Maverick hockey team. Gerken had finished treatments for cancer that had caused pain in his chest after he had played baseball with his brother. He looks forward to getting back on the field for the Junior Jays in the spring.
“After school, I’ve been working out — throwing, hitting, running,” Gerken said. “I feel good.”