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Wine and spice make fundraising nice
Amish Thakker of Buffalo Grove. | Lee Litas~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 6, 2013 6:58PM
The Event: Twenty friends and supporters of the Cancer Care Foundation gathered to raise money for a good cause and to enjoy some spicy curry and get lessons in wine pairing from a master sommelier on Dec. 9 at The Urban Tandoor in Long Grove.
Founded originally at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, volunteer-run and non-profit Cancer Care Foundation has offered free support services to individuals living with cancer, their caregivers, families and friends for the past 28 years.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Beat Tom and Bill Foundation, an independent, grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds for a variety of cancer fighting organizations. Over the years, BTB has raised $85,000 for the Cancer Care Foundation.
Cause célèbre: Board member Rich Buckman calls Cancer Care Foundation the most immediate method of taking care of local cancer patients and their families. “We’ve paid rent, we’ve paid food. Sometimes it’s as simple as paying phone bills so people can connect to their doctors. Anything to get them over that bridge for the immediate time period when people learn they have cancer.”
The Cancer Care Foundation has no paid board members, nor operations members, said Buckman noting that 98 percent of all funds raised goes toward administering counseling and financial aid.
“This organization has not only helped many people locally but also my family directly so we’re full supporters of them,” said BTB and Cancer Care Foundation corporate chef Danny Serio whose wife was diagnosed with cancer.
“The board is 100 percent volunteer so everything we raise goes directly to benefit the families. The only benefit we get is we get to help other people… and we hope to continue ever and ever on,” said event chair and four-year Cancer Care Foundation board member Amish Thakker of Buffalo Grove.
Bottom line: All event proceeds went to benefit the Cancer Care Foundation and their mission.
