Thursday’s announced $308,510 brings running total to $1.4M

The Hormel Institute announced on Thursday that the 2018 Paint the Town Pink cancer benefit has raised $308,510. The amount exceeded last year’s total by $5,000, bringing the total raised since 2011 to over $1.4 million.

“Your donations allow our scientists to research projects that might not otherwise be funded,” said Hormel Institute Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong. “Thanks to the Hormel Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar donated can go into research, none to administrative costs.”

Much of the funding for cancer research at the Hormel Institute comes from federal grants. Before they apply for federal grants, research is conducted using seed grants funded by Paint the Town Pink donations.

“The small seed grants are used for very innovative research ideas and projects,” said Hormel Institute Director of Development and Public Relations Gail Dennison. “They can gather data and if it continues to look promising, they will apply for a larger grant.”

According to Dennison, Hormel Institute researcher Dr. Rebecca Morris and Dong are applying for a $1.5 million grant based on two years of Morris’ research.

“(The research) would not have taken place without the Paint the Town Pink seed grant,” Dennison said.

Last year, eight seed grants were given to Hormel Institute researchers.

This year’s Paint the Town Pink ambassador was Cheri Krejci of Blooming Prairie.

“I have been very honored to be the Paint the Town Pink ambassador as I believe in advocating for cancer research and the Hormel Institute is special because 100 percent goes to research,” she said. “It was heartwarming and encouraging and really amazing to see everyone come together to further cancer research and advocate for the Hormel Institute.”

Krejci has personally experienced cancer’s effect in both her life and the lives of close friends and family. The first hockey game she attended was a Paint the Rink Pink Austin Bruins game.

“We are humbled and thankful for what was started with our first Paint the Rink Pink in 2011,” said Austin Bruins owner Craig Patrick. “To see this continue to grow year after year raising funds to fight a disease that is so destructive to so many of us, it truly is one of our organization’s proudest achievements.”

Although the 2018 Paint the Town Pink event ran from Jan. 27-Feb. 11, additional fundraising events were held throughout the year. A new event was “Pink at the Pump,” an Iowa Renewable Fuels Association initiative that donated a percentage of every gallon of E18 sold at 15 gas stations throughout Iowa during the month of October.

This year’s event also reached new communities in South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The Hormel Institute also announced that Eagles cover band Hotel California will be performing a fundraising concert on July 10 at the Ray Live Learning Center auditorium at the Institute. Tickets will go on sale on May 10.

“We know how cancer touches lives everyday,” Dennison said. “It is an amazing mission that we’re doing together.”

“We appreciate everyone’s generosity and support and know we will continue to work hard for answers to cancer prevention and control,” Dong said. “That is our best way to say thank you.”

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