Harvest of Hope raises $124K for cancer center

By Sequim Gazette Staff • October 16, 2019 1:30 am
Mike Millar, a recent patient at the Olympic Medical Center’s cancer center in Sequim, speaks at the Harvest of Hope event on Oct. 12. Photo courtesy of Olympic Medical Center Foundation
Mike Millar, a recent patient at the Olympic Medical Center’s cancer center in Sequim, speaks at the Harvest of Hope event on Oct. 12. Photo courtesy of Olympic Medical Center Foundation

Cancer patients on the Olympic Peninsula got another big boost from this year’s Harvest of Hope.

The Olympic Medical Center Foundation raised a record $124,000 at its 17th-annual Harvest of Hope dinner, held at the Guy Cole Event Center in Sequim on Oct. 12.

Presented by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the event raises funds for services and equipment for the OMC Cancer Center in Sequim.

In addition to money for a new integrative oncology program that features alternative therapies, and equipment for the treatment of prostate cancer, attendees also donated $30,000 to fund the Cancer Center’s Patient Navigator program that provides basic living expenses for low income cancer patients.

The foundation also presented the Rick Kaps Award to Bill and Esther Littlejohn of Sequim, longtime community and OMC Foundation/OMC Cancer Center donors and supporters. The Kaps Award – named after the former Sequim High School basketball coach and educator who passed away from cancer – is presented annually to an organization or individual who has contributed to cancer and overall health care on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Mike Millar, who was recently treated at the OMC Cancer Center, was the honored survivor at the event and spoke to the quality of care at the Sequim facility.

The evening featured food prepared by local chef Kathryn Kitts from The Sweet Beginning Café in Sequim and wine from four North Olympic Peninsula wineries: Wind Rose, Camaraderie, Harbinger and Olympic Cellars.

The foundation has contributed more than $1.4 million as part of its capital campaign to raise money for the cancer center.

“OMC and the foundation is thankful for all of the support that it has received from hundreds of donors who have contributed towards this effort,” foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner said.

“We really want to thank our sponsors; because of their support, every penny raised at Harvest of Hope goes toward the treatment of cancer,” Harvest of Hope Chair Karen Rogers said.

Those interested in more information or in making a donation to benefit local healthcare can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email Skinner at bruce@omhf.org.