Surviving Hearts fundraiser is biggest ever

The sixth annual fundraiser hosted by the Surviving Hearts cancer support group on Saturday evening attracted the biggest crowd ever.
 The event was held at Sunnyside Farms and Events, a rural location south of Weiser, on a perfect night to be outdoors enjoying live music, dinner and auctions.
 Through dinner ticket sales and silent and live auctions, the annual Surviving Hearts fundraiser raises many thousands of dollars to assist local cancer patients with everything from gas cards to co-pays for medication to help with utility bills.     
 Many who attended and generously opened their checkbooks for the silent and live auctions had a relative or knew somebody that had been diagnosed with cancer. Many also had received support or help from Surviving Hearts or other cancer support groups and wanted to give back.
 Brandon and Tammra Van Ness said they try to come every year to support Surviving Hearts and also to remember Gene Prater, who died from cancer and also was a big supporter of the organization.
 “There are a lot of people I have seen here every year,” Brandon said.    
 Charlotte Hirata, who attended with her two sons, Ed and Harvey, wanted to bid on items for a good cause.
 She had a third son, Eugene, who died at age 62 of cancer in April of 2017. Eugene was a well-liked manager at Ridley’s in Weiser for many years.
 She said people did a lot for Eugene during his battle with cancer and it’s important to support nonprofits dedicated to helping those facing the disease.
 After dinner, JB Salutregui, owner of JBS Auctions, got the bidding started on 33 items that were donated for the live auction. He was joined by spotters Tim Cobb and Rob Chipman. Miss Idaho Grace Zimmerman also assisted.
 The live auction featured some great items to bid on, including a weekend in Las Vegas and a stay on the Oregon coast. Other items included a stainless steel backyard grill, $500 worth of new tires and a handmade quilt, among many other items.
 The bidding quickly escalated on many items. A live magnolia tree festooned with $200 worth of lottery tickets went for more than $400. A tray of homemade cinnamon rolls brought $150.
 Cancer survivor and Surviving Hearts founder Shellie Colvard, along with husband Paul and many volunteers, spends countless hours organizing the fundraiser every year.
 Colvard thanked the 150 or so people who showed up for the dinner and auctions for their support every year.
 She said she doesn’t like to talk about her own battle with cancer, a part of her life that she has moved beyond. She has been cancer-free for 12 years, but knows how emotionally and financially devastating a cancer diagnosis can be.
 “You people are going to help us tonight help people who are dealing with cancer,” she said. “We’re overwhelmed with the turnout tonight. When you bid you will be helping people get through it.”
 Surviving Hearts has been a driving force behind getting a respite house constructed at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute in Fruitland. Over four years of fundraisers, Surviving Hearts was able to contribute $40,000 to the respite house project. It is now a reality and nearing completion, thanks to the dedication of Colvard and Dr. Sarah Bolender, an oncologist at MSTI.
 Dr. Bolender said the respite house was a community effort with RV sites and amazing rooms. It should be open in just a couple of weeks.