McCool Junction, NE – The 2012 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska in McCool Junction raised more than $1.4 million – the second highest total in the ball’s 15-year history of providing support to the Eppley Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
This marks the third straight year the Cattlemen’s Ball has topped the $1 million mark. The all-time high was $1.49 million raised at the 2011 ball in West Point. In 2010, the ball held in Kearney raised $1,003,000.
As in past years, 90 percent of the proceeds go toward cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center with the remaining 10 percent going toward local organizations. This year’s breakdown was $1,244,270 to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and $141,030 distributed locally to 21 different organizations. In addition, $5,000 was raised for scholarships at the UNMC College of Nursing.
The proceeds were announced Tuesday evening at the Stone Creek Event Center near McCool Junction. Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, was in McCool Junction for the announcement. Since the ball’s inception in 1998, more than $7.61 million has been raised.
“I continue to sound like a broken record,” Dr. Cowan said. “It seems like every year the Cattlemen’s Ball does something remarkable. This year’s $1.4 million is amazing. I know it represents a ton of work by the entire community of McCool Junction as well as many other people in York County.
“We are absolutely thrilled with what has happened to the Cattlemen’s Ball. It has evolved into probably the biggest fundraising event for the entire state. We are honored to be associated with it.”
This year’s event was hosted by the Allen and Shelly Clark family of McCool Junction and held at the Stone Creek Event Center. Co-chairs of this year’s ball were Paul and Cheri Underwood and Jim and Kathy Matzner of McCool Junction. Ivan Rush of Scottsbluff served as chairman of the Statewide Advisory Board.
“This was a total team effort involving McCool Junction and numerous surrounding communities,” said Shelly Clark. “We had the help of more than 500 volunteers and 45 committees, and more than 4,000 attended the ball. We are delighted to make such a generous donation to support the outstanding cancer research being done at the Eppley Cancer Center. But, it’s also rewarding to see many local organizations benefit as well.”
The 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball will be June 7-8 at the Hanging H Ranch near Sutherland, Neb. Hosts are the Neal Hansen family and the Hanging H Ranch and Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster and family. Co-chairs are Jon Holzfaster and Tim and Deb Holzfaster.
Here’s a listing of local organizations which will receive funding this year:
Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School
Friend FFA
McCool Junction FFA/McCool School
Centennial FFA
Bradshaw Fire Department
Exeter Volunteer Fire Department
Fairmont Fire Department
Friend Fire & Rescue
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Henderson Fire and Rescue McCool Junction Fire District York Fire Department York County Mutual Aid District Fairview Manor Fillmore County Hospital 4 Corners Health Henderson area health care Home Care Plus, Inc. York General Health Care Service York Medical Clinic City of York inclusive with above McCool Community Improvement Foundation |
Here’s a breakdown of money raised at the past 15 Cattlemen's Balls:
1998 – Ainsworth — $95,000
1999 – Lexington — $140,000
2000 – Ogallala — $104,000
2001 – Valentine — $133,000
2002 – Valparaiso — $207,000
2003 – Ashland — $33,000
2004 – Brady — $174,000
2005 – Wisner — $595,000
2006 – Milford — $563,250
2007 – Lodgepole — $480,000
2008 – Albion — $697,000
2009 – Doniphan — $488,000
2010 – Kearney — $1,003,000
2011 – West Point — $1,490,000
2012 – McCool Junction – $1,410,300
Total – $7.61 million
The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, Inc. is established to promote beef in a healthy diet, to showcase rural Nebraska and to raise money for health care research. For more information, visit www.cattlemensball.com.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 64 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 13 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.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.