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Catie's Gathering

Catie’s Gathering is an inspiring event benefiting Catie’s Fund of CURE Childhood Cancer. This special dinner features unique, individually-themed table decorations, a silent auction, a live auction, and a moving program. Since its inception, Catie’s Gathering has grown from one to five separate events in southeast Georgia. To date, Catie’s Fund has raised more than $4.2 million.

The funds raised are invested in CURE’s research initiatives – specifically, our Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup and is used to support patients and their families in their fight against childhood cancer.

February 23, 2024

The Venues at Trustees’ Garden
The Charles H. Morris Center
10 East Broad St.
Savannah, GA

Read about the most recent event

Each year members of the Savannah Community rally together to create a beautiful, fun, inspiring night to honor the children battling cancer, celebrate the survivors, and remember those precious lives we’ve lost. On February 25, CURE Childhood Cancer hosted its 10th annual Catie’s Gathering in Savannah.

The event, which benefits Catie’s Fund, a Named Fund of CURE, was once again presented by Coastal Electric. Catie’s Fund was created by Jenny and Tre Wilkins in memory of their firstborn daughter, Catie, who lost her battle with medulloblastoma at four years old. WSAV investigative reporter Andrew Davis served as the event emcee – as he has for all ten years.

The evening featured music by a Savannah favorite band – Junkyard Angels, dinner catered by Magnolia Grill, a live and silent auction, and an inspirational message on the work that CURE is doing delivered by CURE’s CEO, Kristin Connor. Kristin shared with the audience that many years ago, she believed that funding pediatric cancer research was much like building a cathedral, a building that is erected over many years and is an investment for the next generation. But in recent years, Kristin’s view has shifted with CURE’s involvement in funding the Aflac Precision Medicine Program. While we are laying the foundation for future cures, many children with cancer are reaping the benefits of this revolutionary treatment today.

Some additional highlights of the evening were the patient slideshow. Families and the communities who supported them cheered from around the room as they saw familiar faces on the screen. As always, the event table hostesses outdid themselves with extravagantly decorated tables. While we can’t pick a favorite, a few that stood out were Barbie’s Dreamhouse: where childhood dreams come true featuring ladies each dressed as a different Barbie, Gaga for a CURE hosted by the mothers of two survivors who came with their guests dressed as Lady Gaga, Curing Little Cuties a table featuring a centerpiece made of Cutie oranges, and beautiful Angel Graduation themed table hosted in memory of Kylie Shiell who would have graduated in May if leukemia hadn’t taken her in 2019.

This year’s live auction, led by the auctioneer, Kenny Williams, was particularly exciting. The last live auction item at each Catie’s Gathering event is the coveted, professionally decorated Head Table for 16 for the following year’s event. After an intense bidding war, the Head Table went for an astounding $25,000!

After the event, CURE’s newest staff member, Amanda Crosby, remarked, “I think what makes Catie’s Gathering such a special event is that it is the one night of the year when everyone in the room feels the same enthusiasm and contagious excitement about what CURE is doing that CURE staff members feel every day.”

We would like to thank our Catie’s Gathering title sponsor, Coastal Electric, the event planning committee, event sponsors, volunteers, table hostesses, vendors, and auction donors for an extremely successful event. Together, we raised $255,706 to fight childhood cancer!

February 23, 2024

The Venues at Trustees’ Garden
The Charles H. Morris Center
10 East Broad St.
Savannah, GA

Read about the most recent event

Each year members of the Savannah Community rally together to create a beautiful, fun, inspiring night to honor the children battling cancer, celebrate the survivors, and remember those precious lives we’ve lost. On February 25, CURE Childhood Cancer hosted its 10th annual Catie’s Gathering in Savannah.

The event, which benefits Catie’s Fund, a Named Fund of CURE, was once again presented by Coastal Electric. Catie’s Fund was created by Jenny and Tre Wilkins in memory of their firstborn daughter, Catie, who lost her battle with medulloblastoma at four years old. WSAV investigative reporter Andrew Davis served as the event emcee – as he has for all ten years.

The evening featured music by a Savannah favorite band – Junkyard Angels, dinner catered by Magnolia Grill, a live and silent auction, and an inspirational message on the work that CURE is doing delivered by CURE’s CEO, Kristin Connor. Kristin shared with the audience that many years ago, she believed that funding pediatric cancer research was much like building a cathedral, a building that is erected over many years and is an investment for the next generation. But in recent years, Kristin’s view has shifted with CURE’s involvement in funding the Aflac Precision Medicine Program. While we are laying the foundation for future cures, many children with cancer are reaping the benefits of this revolutionary treatment today.

Some additional highlights of the evening were the patient slideshow. Families and the communities who supported them cheered from around the room as they saw familiar faces on the screen. As always, the event table hostesses outdid themselves with extravagantly decorated tables. While we can’t pick a favorite, a few that stood out were Barbie’s Dreamhouse: where childhood dreams come true featuring ladies each dressed as a different Barbie, Gaga for a CURE hosted by the mothers of two survivors who came with their guests dressed as Lady Gaga, Curing Little Cuties a table featuring a centerpiece made of Cutie oranges, and beautiful Angel Graduation themed table hosted in memory of Kylie Shiell who would have graduated in May if leukemia hadn’t taken her in 2019.

This year’s live auction, led by the auctioneer, Kenny Williams, was particularly exciting. The last live auction item at each Catie’s Gathering event is the coveted, professionally decorated Head Table for 16 for the following year’s event. After an intense bidding war, the Head Table went for an astounding $25,000!

After the event, CURE’s newest staff member, Amanda Crosby, remarked, “I think what makes Catie’s Gathering such a special event is that it is the one night of the year when everyone in the room feels the same enthusiasm and contagious excitement about what CURE is doing that CURE staff members feel every day.”

We would like to thank our Catie’s Gathering title sponsor, Coastal Electric, the event planning committee, event sponsors, volunteers, table hostesses, vendors, and auction donors for an extremely successful event. Together, we raised $255,706 to fight childhood cancer!

March 7, 2024 Golf Tournament
March 9, 2024 Catie’s Gathering

Forest Heights Country Club
3772 Country Club Rd
Statesboro, GA 30458

Read about the most recent event

After three years of postponement, Catie’s Gathering Statesboro is back and better than ever!

The Statesboro community welcomed CURE Childhood Cancer back in full swing with the first annual Catie’s Gathering Golf Tournament! Tee times began at 1 pm on March 9th on the gorgeous greens of the Forest Heights Country Club. Thanks to Franklin Toyota, participants had the chance to win a brand-new car on hole 13 if they could sink a lucky hole-in-one shot. No one drove off in the new wheels, but everyone had fun trying!

On Saturday, Forest Heights became filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and table settings worthy of a museum exhibition. The details that the table hosts planned for their personal table themes were extraordinary. From pickle jars filled with pickleball balls to groovy tie-dye roses, Catie’s Gathering table hosts and their guests comfortably sat in fashion for a dinner to remember. During the cocktail hour, guests mingled, had videos made in the 360-degree camera booth, and enjoyed the music of Matt Waters. Honey’s Catering prepared a delicious spread that filled the stomachs of the 250 attendees. A sweet performance by Anna Hayes Polk and a moving speech from Greyson Kennedy, both local childhood cancer survivors, followed dinner. With their hearts moved, guests made the live and silent auctions incredibly successful.

Organizer, Jody Polk, planned a wonderful night, and the Statesboro community helped raise a total of $137,471 between the two events. The money raised will be used to fund CURE’s Precision Medicine Program, one of the most promising forms of treatment to come along in decades.

March 7, 2024 Golf Tournament
March 9, 2024 Catie’s Gathering

Forest Heights Country Club
3772 Country Club Rd
Statesboro, GA 30458

Read about the most recent event

After three years of postponement, Catie’s Gathering Statesboro is back and better than ever!

The Statesboro community welcomed CURE Childhood Cancer back in full swing with the first annual Catie’s Gathering Golf Tournament! Tee times began at 1 pm on March 9th on the gorgeous greens of the Forest Heights Country Club. Thanks to Franklin Toyota, participants had the chance to win a brand-new car on hole 13 if they could sink a lucky hole-in-one shot. No one drove off in the new wheels, but everyone had fun trying!

On Saturday, Forest Heights became filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and table settings worthy of a museum exhibition. The details that the table hosts planned for their personal table themes were extraordinary. From pickle jars filled with pickleball balls to groovy tie-dye roses, Catie’s Gathering table hosts and their guests comfortably sat in fashion for a dinner to remember. During the cocktail hour, guests mingled, had videos made in the 360-degree camera booth, and enjoyed the music of Matt Waters. Honey’s Catering prepared a delicious spread that filled the stomachs of the 250 attendees. A sweet performance by Anna Hayes Polk and a moving speech from Greyson Kennedy, both local childhood cancer survivors, followed dinner. With their hearts moved, guests made the live and silent auctions incredibly successful.

Organizer, Jody Polk, planned a wonderful night, and the Statesboro community helped raise a total of $137,471 between the two events. The money raised will be used to fund CURE’s Precision Medicine Program, one of the most promising forms of treatment to come along in decades.

March 23, 2024

Clarence Morgan Gym
1750 GA-21 S
Springfield, GA

Read about the most recent event

The 13th annual Catie’s Gathering Effingham, presented by Springfield Elementary School, was held on Saturday night, March 25, at the gym at the Clarence Morgan Recreation Complex (generously donated by Effingham County Recreation and Parks).

During a cocktail hour before the program began, the CC Witt Duo entertained sponsors and special guests while they enjoyed a delicious charcuterie along with shrimp and grits from Southern Kafe on 17. More than 700 guests attended this year’s event, which included music from the Junkyard Angels, raffles, silent and live auctions, dinner by Simply Southern Caterers, and an inspiring program. Once again, Carlson and Co. provided event rentals and support for the evening. The head table for the evening, won in the live auction at last year’s event, was beautifully decorated by New Life Florist in a royal theme of The Queen, complete with a display of the Queen and her corgis. At the night’s end, the cardboard queen, her corgis, and a cut-out of Yellowstone’s Rip from another table were auctioned off for more than $2500.

Proceeds from the event go toward CURE’s Precision Medicine Program, which envisions personalized treatment based on the patient’s genetic makeup. So it was fitting that the program included a video about precision medicine’s incredible impact on a young patient named Edward. Following the video, Melodie Wall shared about her son, John, and his brave journey with leukemia. Then Melodie and two of John’s siblings moved the crowd by singing together. The program closed with a slideshow that showcased pediatric cancer patients from the area.

Effingham County’s generosity was on display in the best way this year at Catie’s Gathering. There were a total of 59 sponsors for the event, including high-level sponsorships from Springfield Elementary School, The McGraley Company, and South Effingham Elementary School. Additional event support was provided by Gerbasi Signs, Chick-fil-A Rincon, Badger Rental, and Effingham County High School. Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and supporters, Catie’s Gathering raised $387,000 this year!

March 23, 2024

Clarence Morgan Gym
1750 GA-21 S
Springfield, GA

Read about the most recent event

The 13th annual Catie’s Gathering Effingham, presented by Springfield Elementary School, was held on Saturday night, March 25, at the gym at the Clarence Morgan Recreation Complex (generously donated by Effingham County Recreation and Parks).

During a cocktail hour before the program began, the CC Witt Duo entertained sponsors and special guests while they enjoyed a delicious charcuterie along with shrimp and grits from Southern Kafe on 17. More than 700 guests attended this year’s event, which included music from the Junkyard Angels, raffles, silent and live auctions, dinner by Simply Southern Caterers, and an inspiring program. Once again, Carlson and Co. provided event rentals and support for the evening. The head table for the evening, won in the live auction at last year’s event, was beautifully decorated by New Life Florist in a royal theme of The Queen, complete with a display of the Queen and her corgis. At the night’s end, the cardboard queen, her corgis, and a cut-out of Yellowstone’s Rip from another table were auctioned off for more than $2500.

Proceeds from the event go toward CURE’s Precision Medicine Program, which envisions personalized treatment based on the patient’s genetic makeup. So it was fitting that the program included a video about precision medicine’s incredible impact on a young patient named Edward. Following the video, Melodie Wall shared about her son, John, and his brave journey with leukemia. Then Melodie and two of John’s siblings moved the crowd by singing together. The program closed with a slideshow that showcased pediatric cancer patients from the area.

Effingham County’s generosity was on display in the best way this year at Catie’s Gathering. There were a total of 59 sponsors for the event, including high-level sponsorships from Springfield Elementary School, The McGraley Company, and South Effingham Elementary School. Additional event support was provided by Gerbasi Signs, Chick-fil-A Rincon, Badger Rental, and Effingham County High School. Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and supporters, Catie’s Gathering raised $387,000 this year!

April 20, 2024

Southern Regional Technical College Veterans Parkway Campus
800 Veterans Parkway North, Moultrie, GA

 If you have any questions about sponsorship or would like more information, please email Jenny Wilkins at [email protected].

Read about the most recent event

The inaugural Catie’s Gathering Moultrie was held on November 5 at Lily Pond Farm, a wonderful venue that was generously donated for the evening. Nearly 200 were in attendance, and many guests were families affected by childhood cancer. The evening began with a cocktail hour where guests could mingle, look at the beautifully decorated tables, and enjoy fantastic music from Josh Pridemore. Dinner was donated by Gay Foods and was a delicious menu of seafood and chicken pasta, Aunt Nancy’s Asparagus Casserole, and salad.

The program started with Jenny Wilkins, the co-founder of Catie’s Fund, sharing staggering facts about the lack of funding for childhood cancers. Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE, then delivered news of exciting Precision Medicine research that CURE is funding. An incredible $41,000 was raised at this inaugural event. The funds raised will be invested in CURE’s research initiatives – specifically the Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup. The funds also offer general support to patients and their families fighting childhood cancer.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors: Albany Beverage Company, Ameris Bank, Procom Sales, Lasseter Motors, Judy and Mark Mobley, South GA Crop Insurance Inc, Stone’s Home Center, Amber and Chip Sumner, and Carolyn and Stan Sumner.

April 20, 2024

Southern Regional Technical College Veterans Parkway Campus
800 Veterans Parkway North, Moultrie, GA

 If you have any questions about sponsorship or would like more information, please email Jenny Wilkins at [email protected].

Read about the most recent event

The inaugural Catie’s Gathering Moultrie was held on November 5 at Lily Pond Farm, a wonderful venue that was generously donated for the evening. Nearly 200 were in attendance, and many guests were families affected by childhood cancer. The evening began with a cocktail hour where guests could mingle, look at the beautifully decorated tables, and enjoy fantastic music from Josh Pridemore. Dinner was donated by Gay Foods and was a delicious menu of seafood and chicken pasta, Aunt Nancy’s Asparagus Casserole, and salad.

The program started with Jenny Wilkins, the co-founder of Catie’s Fund, sharing staggering facts about the lack of funding for childhood cancers. Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE, then delivered news of exciting Precision Medicine research that CURE is funding. An incredible $41,000 was raised at this inaugural event. The funds raised will be invested in CURE’s research initiatives – specifically the Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup. The funds also offer general support to patients and their families fighting childhood cancer.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors: Albany Beverage Company, Ameris Bank, Procom Sales, Lasseter Motors, Judy and Mark Mobley, South GA Crop Insurance Inc, Stone’s Home Center, Amber and Chip Sumner, and Carolyn and Stan Sumner.

September 2024

Bryan County Elementary School

Read about the most recent event

On Saturday, September 23rd, Catie’s Gathering Bryan County was held at Bryan County Elementary School. More than 380 guests and 65 volunteers extravagantly decorated tables in themes like Braves – Chop On for a CURE, an 80’s inspired PROMise to find a CURE, a western Let’s Lasso a CURE, and many more.

The evening included a delicious dinner, a raffle, silent and live auctions, and a moving video that told the story of a young boy’s battle with cancer. Badger Rental was a Hero Sponsor, and many local businesses provided sponsorships or donated items for auction. The 2023 event raised more than ever before, $130,000 that will support CURE’s mission of curing childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families.

Catie’s Gathering was founded in memory of Catie Wilkins, who passed away after a long battle with a brain tumor. Her mother, Jenny, said, “Catie’s Gathering Bryan County blows me away every year. The planning committee, hostesses, volunteers, sponsors, and donors are the ones that make the event what it is. What a testament to the hard work and big hearts of the people of Bryan County.”

Since its inception, Catie’s Gathering has grown from one to five separate events in southeast Georgia and has raised more than $3.1 million.

September 2024

Bryan County Elementary School

Read about the most recent event

On Saturday, September 23rd, Catie’s Gathering Bryan County was held at Bryan County Elementary School. More than 380 guests and 65 volunteers extravagantly decorated tables in themes like Braves – Chop On for a CURE, an 80’s inspired PROMise to find a CURE, a western Let’s Lasso a CURE, and many more.

The evening included a delicious dinner, a raffle, silent and live auctions, and a moving video that told the story of a young boy’s battle with cancer. Badger Rental was a Hero Sponsor, and many local businesses provided sponsorships or donated items for auction. The 2023 event raised more than ever before, $130,000 that will support CURE’s mission of curing childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families.

Catie’s Gathering was founded in memory of Catie Wilkins, who passed away after a long battle with a brain tumor. Her mother, Jenny, said, “Catie’s Gathering Bryan County blows me away every year. The planning committee, hostesses, volunteers, sponsors, and donors are the ones that make the event what it is. What a testament to the hard work and big hearts of the people of Bryan County.”

Since its inception, Catie’s Gathering has grown from one to five separate events in southeast Georgia and has raised more than $3.1 million.

Create your own Catie's Gathering

Catie’s Gathering events are unique and special. We are excited to see these events grow to other communities – enabling Catie’s Fund to support even more life-saving research. Catie’s Gathering is a fundraiser, but it is also an opportunity to create awareness about pediatric cancer and point them to Catie’s Fund and CURE Childhood Cancer as a way to fund cures and support families.  CURE staff will work with you to offer best practices and ideas for your program.

If you would like to learn more about bringing Catie’s Gathering to your community, please fill out the form below.

  • Where would you like to hold a Catie's Gathering event?
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