The Canadian Cancer Society was the beneficiary of a $4,465 donation from The Innisfail Truck Ranch Bulls, “Bras & Bashing” event held from October 14 to 31.
For $10 a swing customers were able to take a swing at a pink 1992 Dodge sedan to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research. Darryl Czuy, Innisfail Truck Ranch owner was looking for an idea to raise money for a good cause, and decided on breast cancer.
“For every dollar raised by bashers, we matched it,” said Czuy noting that the $4,465 donation included $420 in cash.
Jolene Bjarnason, owner of Complete Catering and Party Rental, also offered to match the Innisfail Truck Ranch's donations for personal reasons, after being diagnosed with breast cancer recently.
Bjarnason, who discovered her breast cancer more than two month ago during a routine self-examination, is already in treatment with 24 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatment scheduled.
“Innisfail community and businesses were a big part of the success of the fundraising effort,” said Wayne Karach, sales manager for the Innisfail Truck Ranch. “The Innisfail Eagles, The Innisfail Legion and the Innisfail Auction Market contributed to the campaign as well as members of the community that dropped by.”
Karach added donations came from people who did not swing a hammer but just dropped by, from people who wanted a picture inside the car, and from those who wanted a picture with the pink vehicle.
“Anytime you can raise awareness for something like breast cancer, you are doing a good thing,” said Karach. “It was an awesome experience for all our staff.”
Bjarnason was impressed with the job the Innisfail Truck Ranch did in promoting the event.
“We live in such a fantastic community that comes up behind every cause and this is just another example of Innisfail banding together,” said the caterer who had the first swings at the car. “Early detection of my cancer gave me a good chance of beating it. I want to help raise awareness any way I possibly can.”
For more information on breast cancer and early detection go to www.cbcf.org.
