Over the past 16 years, local volunteers have pulled together to organize the fundraiser, which to date has earned more than $820,000 to help support HopeSpring. This year's goal is $70,000.00. More than 100 volunteers from the community will serve an Italian-style dinner to guests. The evening includes music, an animated live auction and a silent auction which last year included 300 donated items. The event is sponsored by Manulife Financial and will be held at the Manulife building at 500 King Street North, Waterloo.

"The celebratory evening promotes awareness of HopeSpring, where since 1995 cancer patients and their loved ones have found information, encouragement and supportive programs after diagnosis and during treatment," said Catherine Young, Executive Director, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre.

Dinner and raffle tickets are available at HopeSpring or by calling 519-742-4673. Dinner tickets are $50 per person. Raffle tickets are $5 each, 3 for $10, or 7 for $20. The final raffle draw will take place December 3, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Manulife Financial, 500 King Street North, Waterloo.

At the fundraiser, the 2012 winners of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre's Spiritual Warrior Scholarship will be presented. The scholarship is based on an essay written by the student - a tribute of extraordinary spirit and strength shown by loved ones or themselves in dealing with cancer.

The 2012 winners are:

1. Jennika Hunsinger - graduated from Orangeville DSS (Orangeville) and is now attending Dalhousie University
2. Hossein Mayanloo - graduated from Forest Heights CI (Kitchener) and is now attending University of Waterloo
3. Stephanie Wagner - graduated from Bluevale CI (Waterloo) and is now attending University of Waterloo
4. Hayley Bartlett - graduated from St. Benedict's CSS (Cambridge) and is now attending McMaster University

Each winner is awarded a $2,000 scholarship to be used towards his or her post-secondary education. More than $60,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 37 students as part of the Spiritual Warrior Scholarship since 1999.

The Spiritual Warrior Scholarship was created in memory of Dan Blasutti, a former Manulife Financial Assistant Vice President and a founding member of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. Following his diagnosis, Dan began a journal about his illness. Manulife Financial financed the publication of his writings into a book - Spiritual Warrior, One Man's Cancer Journal. To date, 3,100 copies of Dan's book have been distributed with proceeds from the book going to HopeSpring. A portion of the book's proceeds are allotted to the scholarship fund.

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HopeSpring offers individual and group support, a resource library, free wigs, head coverings and post mastectomy camisoles. HopeSpring has many gentle exercise programs such as Yoga and Tai Chi and offers Relaxation Therapies such as Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Reflexology. We also offer workshops and ongoing programs designed to reduce stress & anxiety, promote wellness and empower those whose lives have been affected by cancer. 

HopeSpring's programs & services are offered without cost to those with cancer and those caring for someone with cancer.  Programs are run in both Waterloo and Cambridge.  More information about HopeSpring is available at www.hopespring.ca.

Event Details

Dates and Times: Saturday, November 17, 2012. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Manulife Financial, 500 King Street North, Waterloo

Contacts:

Anita Woodard
Office Administrator, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
16 Andrew St., Unit 2, Kitchener, ON N2H 5R2
Phone: 519-742-4673 ext 105
Email: anita@hopespring.ca

Catherine Young
Executive Director, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
16 Andrew St., Unit 2, Kitchener, ON N2H 5R2
Phone: 519-742-4673 ext. 101
Email:catherine.young@hopespring.ca  

Website: www.hopespring.ca