Cancer Ties fights bonds that bind cancer patients, families

ALBANY — Sometimes, out of a sense of helplessness, is born something pretty remarkable.

Carrie Hutchinson felt that helplessness back in the 2000s when her close friend, Allison Salter, was diagnosed with cancer. Seeking fruitlessly something — anything — she could do to physically help her friend, Hutchinson was left to consider other means of support.

“There was nothing that I could do to help her physically, and that’s a helpless feeling,” Hutchinson said. “So I did the best thing I could think of: I threw her a party to raise money that would help pay for her treatment. I was struck by the people who came out to show support.”

The premise of that early show of support has tied Hutchinson — literally — to an organization that, essentially, does the same thing she did for her friend. Cancer Ties, of which Hutchinson is executive director, holds a couple of “parties” a year to raise funds for cancer patients to help with their treatment and recovery. The group will hold its 16th Cancer Ties Fall Event at Doublegate Country Club on Nov. 3, a day of golf, food, fun and entertainment that will raise funds for cancer patients Trina Swift, Sarah Rowe and Hope Todd.

Cancer Ties 2023 will kick off with its Charity Golf Classic at Doublegate, a three-man scramble that, following registration at 10 a.m. and lunch at 11, will tee off at noon. After the golfers head for the clubhouse, the annual Fall Event — which features live music by the ninety5 band, a cocktail buffet, cash bar, online auction and raffles — will start at 6 p.m. and carry well into the evening. All funds raised will be shared by the three recipients.

“For lack of a better term, people in the community ‘nominate’ recipients for Cancer Ties funds,” Hutchinson said. “It’s people from the community or the area whose names are put before the board.

“Our three recipients this year are very deserving. Trina is battling colorectal cancer, Sarah breast cancer and Hope leukemia. They, like everyone else who is a part of Cancer Ties or who supports the battle against cancer, are all tied together, as we all are, through cancer. We’ve all heard that saying about how we all are connected in some way to cancer, and it’s true. But it really hits home when it’s someone you know or love.”

The online auction that Hutchinson said includes “some pretty amazing things,” kicked off on Thursday and will continue until 9 p.m. on the day of the event.

“Everyone can see the auction items on our Facebook page, but if they want to get an up-close look, all of them will be on view up until the auction ends at 9,” Hutchinson said. “They’ll have opportunities to bid on the items at the event.”

Another part of the daylong Cancer Ties event is a ball drop on the golf course. Sponsor Southern Outdoors of Lee County will “bring a piece of their big equipment” to Doublegate, load up golf balls purchased by supporters and drop them on the course. The person who owns the ball closest to the hole will split a 50-50 pot.

The Cancer Ties Fall Event and Charity Golf Classic are essential parts of two major fundraisers the organization hosts each year. The other, a 5K run and “day out” at Chehaw Park & Zoo, is scheduled in the spring. Next year’s 5K is set for April 13.

“Like a lot of people, I feel compelled to support this worthy cause,” Hutchinson, who has been involved with Cancer Ties since its beginning, said. “I love a good event; it’s part of who I am. And I love to help people. Plus, I lost my grandfather to cancer in 2010, so I know the pain that this disease brings to its victims and their families.”

Tickets to the Nov. 3 Cancer Ties event are $60 and are available online, at Merry Acres and at Roots and Wings Boutique. Cost to participate in the golf tournament is $250 per person, or $750 per team.

For additional information, contact Hutchinson at (229) 344-4992 or [email protected].

Special IllustrationSpecial Photo