We’ve been blown away this year by the generous people of South Georgia. You have shown your overwhelming love and support for children with cancer in so many ways. When we’ve called for volunteers, you raised your hands. As we’ve needed toiletry, meal, and boredom buster bags, you put them together and brought them to us. And when we’ve hosted events, you showed up and gave your all. We are so excited to announce that our four events in 2023 have raised more than $869,000 to fund lifesaving research and support local families devastated by a childhood cancer diagnosis. We can’t thank you enough!
Shell Out for a CURE is an oyster roast event in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The close-knit community comes together every year to raise money for children with cancer. This year the evening honored two local kids, Kai and Kaia. They touched everyone’s hearts as they shared their cancer journeys with us. Besides the delicious oysters and the fixings, attendees enjoyed live music, a raucous action, and an evening of fellowship. Through the generosity of sponsors, ticket sales, and auctions, the event raised $89,317.
Catie’s Gathering Events are special dinners featuring unique, individually themed table decorations, a silent auction, a live auction, and a moving program. Our first of 2023 was Catie’s Gathering Savannah, and it did not disappoint! The room was filled with extravagantly decorated tables such as Barbie’s Dreamhouse, Gaga for a CURE, and Curing Little Cuties, and the attendees dressed up to match their themes. The highlight of the night was a hilarious bidding war for the head table, which ended up going to the highest bidder for $25,000! The night raised a total of $255,706 to fight childhood cancer!
After three years, Catie’s Gathering Statesboro came back better than ever! The Statesboro community welcomed CURE in full swing with the first annual Catie’s Gathering Golf Tournament, followed by a lovely Catie’s Gathering dinner. The table settings were worthy of a museum exhibition – from a pickle jar/pickleball theme to groovy tie-dye roses. After dinner, guests were treated to a sweet performance by Anna Hayes Polk and inspiring words from Greyson Kennedy, both local childhood cancer survivors. The two events raised more than $137,000 in the fight against childhood cancer.
The 13th annual Catie’s Gathering Effingham, was a beautiful night when the Effingham community came out in force. The moving program included an inspirational message from Melodie Wall about her brave son, John, and his journey with leukemia. After Melodie finished speaking, she invited her family to the stage so they could sing together. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Effingham businesses and schools continue to support our cause, as evidenced by the fact that there were an astounding 59 sponsors for the event! Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and supporters, Catie’s Gathering raised $387,000 this year!
On Day of Giving, local Jersey Mike’s owners and operators throughout the country will donate their resources and every single dollar that comes in to more than 200 different charities including hospitals, youth organizations, food banks, and more.
While she is in great shape already, she’s not running just for herself. She’s also running for a little girl named Claire and other children with cancer. Patricia earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education. During her first year of teaching, three-year-old Claire was one of her students. They immediately became close, so Claire’s diagnosis was devastating to her.
“Claire was lucky because we caught it very early,” shared Kathleen. “After testing on the lymph nodes, it showed her cancer to be lymphoma and not leukemia. But because it is very rare for a four-year-old child to get lymphoma and her disease is presenting like leukemia, we are doing the standard treatment for leukemia.”
Thanks to the overwhelming support of her Effingham community, the first Catie’s Gathering has grown into events in five cities across south Georgia and has raised more than $2.8 million. The event helps fund patient and family programs as well as CURE’s Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup.
Additionally, events that usually bring the childhood cancer community together have been canceled or held virtually. The Thomas family participated in 2021’s virtual Lauren’s Run and had a great time walking a 2k on the Silver Comet Trail (even after Zoe fell asleep.) This year, they are very much looking forward to the in-person Lauren’s Run & Picnic.
