LAC volunteers recharge with Institute tour
Published 10:23 am Monday, July 27, 2015
Hormel Institute Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong puts on a T-shirt presented to him by Lyle Area Cancer volunteer Gary Ziegler during a special event Sunday for the organization. The T-shirt commemorates Lyle Area Cancer surpassing the $2 million mark earlier this year for overall fundraising to support cancer research. Photo provided
More than 70 volunteers with Lyle Area Cancer got the chance to recharge their cancer-fighting batteries on Sunday by seeing how some of their hard work is paying off.
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota hosted the volunteers for a special tour Sunday to show appreciation for the LAC’s fundraising efforts throughout the year to support cancer research. The volunteers heard updates on the Institute’s world-renowned work and on the Institute’s 2014-16 expansion.
“It really recharged the volunteers,” LAC volunteer Gary Ziegler said.
Volunteers with the Lyle Area Cancer group gather Sunday with The Hormel Institute’s Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong next to the group’s new panel on the Institute’s Donor Recognition Wall.
LAC co-chair Larry Ricke thanked Institute staff for being able and willing to host LAC volunteers on a weekend rather than a weekday, which meant many more volunteers were able to attend.
“That really worked out great for us,” he said.
Ricke said it’s great to have one of the best cancer research facilities in the world right here in Austin. The group got to see the cutting-edge technology, including super computers and high-powered microscopes, that Institute researchers utilize to fight cancer.
“It was exciting,” Ricke said. “It was a privilege to have them host us. That was really cool.”
Lyle Area Cancer has raised about $2.2 million over 36 years of fundraising through the 5th District Eagles Cancer Telethon. The group topped the $2 million mark at its annual auction in January when the auction brought in a record $230,000.
Jerry Anfinson, treasurer of The Hormel Foundation, speaks Sunday to a packed room of volunteers from the Lyle Area Cancer organization to thank them for their major fundraising efforts and explain how the Foundation significantly supports The Hormel Institute. Photos provided
The Hormel Institute, along with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center, annually receives funding from the 5th District Eagles Cancer Telethon. This year, Telethon officials presented The Hormel Institute with a $255,000 donation to support its cancer research.
LAC volunteers are hard at work raising money to be pledged at the 2016 auction. Several events have already been held and more are planned.
Quilting for a Cure will be held the weekend of Sept. 12 at the Carpenter, Iowa, Community Center. There will also be an iPad raffle with the winter to be selected Oct. 3. Thrivent Financial’s Oktoberfest is planned for Sept. 27 at the Veterans Pavilion at Bandshell Community Park in Austin.
Ziegler also said tickets are already being sold for the 2016 Harley raffle. The winner will be selected at the 2016 auction.
