On August 27, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, donors made up for lost time by raising a record $162,000 at Pure Mendocino, the annual fundraising event for resource centers Mendocino County Cancer Center (CRCMC).
The CRCMC is committed to ensuring that no one in Mendocino County faces cancer alone. The non-profit organization provides free cancer support services to patients and their families, including assistance in deciding which treatment is right for them, assistance for English and Spanish speakers in navigating our complex medical system , access to a lending library full of great resources, support groups, and more.
CRCMC Patient Navigators help clients facing cancer prepare for medical appointments and, if desired, will attend appointments to record information for clients to review later. Each year, the CRCMC supports more than 500 people facing cancer, often in partnership with local healthcare providers such as Adventist Health, as well as tertiary care centers such as UCSF.
At Pure Mendocino, guests celebrate health and a sense of community with a farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Olan Cox at Paul Dolan’s biodynamic Dark Horse Ranch on Old River Road. This year, as in previous years, as guests shared a family meal of locally grown organic food and wine, California Senator (and avid CRCMC supporter) Mike McGuire passionately encouraged everyone to donate as much as possible. to support the mission of the CRCMC. .
“If you don’t donate, you clap,” he said as he ran around the dinner tables calling the donor paddle numbers. To the surprise and delight of many guests, Dolan kicked off the evening with a donation of $20,000. The whole place erupted in applause every time another guest raised their paddle to donate, no matter how big or small.
As Pure Mendocino’s proceeds represent 25% of the organization’s operating funds, CRCMC employees and their community partners were thrilled and grateful that CRCMC’s work continues to be funded in a way that allows them to serve so many people.
CRCMC Executive Director Karen Oslund said, “I am extremely grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered and worked in so many ways to make this event possible. The funds we raise at Pure Mendocino literally keep the doors open and the lights on. Any grant we receive can only be used for specific purposes, but the funds we raise at Pure Mendocino can be used for essential operations, like making sure we have staff available to answer the phone when a person newly diagnosed with cancer calls us. ”
This year’s event marked the end of an era in several ways. Since 2005, the Dolan family has donated the place for Pure Mendocino, a peaceful grove of redwoods on their beautiful ranch. Next year the event will be held at another wonderful venue, Campovida in Hopland courtesy of Anna Beuselinck and Gary Breen.
The other big announcement was that Oslund was soon to retire. She said, “It has been an honor to serve as Executive Director for the past six years. Every day in this job, I am amazed that this level of service exists in our rural county for anyone facing cancer, absolutely free. I’m ready for a quieter time in my life to pursue creative projects and spend more time with my friends and family. I know the Board will choose a wonderful successor who will continue this work in the spirit of CRC’s rich history and deep community roots.
The CRCMC is accepting nominations for its next Executive Director until September 15. For more details, visit crcmendocino.org/employment-opportunities.
CRCMC wishes to acknowledge and thank its major sponsors and donors: Paul Dolan/Dark Horse Farming Co., Heath and Robin Dolan, Adventist Health, Dr. Don and Lynda Coursey, Dr. Jim Flaherty, Frey Vineyards, Glen Green/GlenMark Storage, LACO Associates, Mary Anne Landis and Howie Hawkes, MCHC Health Centers, North Coast Resource Management, Solid Waste of Willits, the Westport Hotel, Campovida, Emerald Sun, Fetzer Vineyards and Savings Bank of Mendocino County.
If you missed the event, you can still donate by visiting crcmendocino.org or calling (707) 937-3833.
Learn more about the Mendocino County Cancer Resource Centers at crcmendocino.org.
