For the second consecutive year, the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska has raised more than a half million dollars for cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Center.
Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, was presented with a check for $563,250 on Sunday at a wrap-up meeting of this year’s ball committee at the Valentino’s Restaurant in Seward. The 2006 ball was held June 3 at Riverside Park on the Blue River. Bob and Marg Dickinson, owners of Midwest Feeding Company in Milford, were the host family. More than 3,500 people attended.
The total awarded to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is the second highest amount ever raised in the nine-year history of the event, topped only by the $600,000 raised at the 2005 Cattlemen’s Ball held at the Herb Albers Feedlot near Wisner, Neb.
“Wow! What more can I say,” Dr. Cowan said. “Words can’t adequately express how truly grateful we are. This year’s ball represented a collective effort of many communities in southeast Nebraska. It was an awesome team effort. Everyone associated with the ball should be proud of what they have accomplished. The numbers speak for themselves.”
Overall, the ball raised $627,500 with approximately 90 percent of the proceeds going to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, and the remaining 10 percent ($64,250) going to 14 different organizations in southeast Nebraska.
More than half of this money ($34,050) went to purchase equipment for cancer patients at Seward Memorial Hospital. The remainder of the money was used to buy equipment for the fire departments and ambulance services in 11 different communities, a fetal heart monitor for Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, Neb., and to help fund a workshop for the Celiac Sprue Association in Seward.
“Our goal was to raise $350,000,” said Bob Dickinson, “so we nearly doubled our goal. That speaks volumes for the tremendous team of volunteers that we had. This is a reflection on the great people living in southeast Nebraska. They really rallied behind the ball and gave it their total support. We are thrilled to see these final numbers.”
Two Seward couples – Doug and Gail Brand and Ron and Annette Wallman – served as co-chairs for this year’s ball, which was called the “Red, White and Blue River Ball.”
Country artist Phil Vassar performed at the ball. He has written Top 10 hits for Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina, and his own hit songs include “Just Another Day in Paradise” and “Carlene.”
Other ball activities included an auction with a variety of unique items, including a video spot donated by Nashville video director, Shawn Silva. Additional activities included team roping, virtual hunting, horse drawn wagon rides and a wine tasting event.
The Cattlemen’s Ball is held each year to showcase rural Nebraska, promote beef in a healthy diet and raise money for health care research.
The 2007 Cattlemen’s Ball will be June 2 at the Sandpoint Cattle Company in Lodgepole, Neb., which is located between Sidney, Neb. and Ogallala, Neb. Host families for the event are Ray and Mary Alger and John and Laurie Widdowson. For tickets, contact Mark Empson, First National Bank, Chappel, Neb., (308) 874-2215 or via e-mail at mempson@fnbancs.com.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 61 centers in the country. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated center in the state of Nebraska. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is also one of the 17 founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers. This recognition means the most current and innovative treatment options are available to Cancer Center patients through the integration of cutting-edge research into state-of-the-art care. Cancer Center physicians and scientists work together to quickly translate discoveries made in the laboratory into innovative treatments for the patient.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology, ophthalmology and arthritis. UNMC’s research funding from external sources is now nearly $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,600 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes more than 460 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties. They practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC’s teaching hospital. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.