Jamie Rowe, Copy Editor
Cancer survivor Catherine McWilliams hosted her third annual Carnival for a Cure May 19 to raise funds for two nonprofit organizations that help those with breast cancer.
Through donations alone, the carnival raised more than $2,000 in cash, for two charities–the Breast Cancer Angels and KAMMCARES– according to an early tally, McWilliams said.
Guests from all over the country enjoyed games, prizes donated from McWilliams’ family and friends, a tarot card reader, a face painter, an astrologer, a palm reader, massage chair, bake sale, raffle and bouncy house. Lunch included hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and pink lemonade.
A main highlight of the event was a visit from the Men of Mortuaries calendar models. A brainchild of Ken McKenzie of McKenzie Mortuary, the calendar raises funds for KAMMCARES, the nonprofit organization McKenzie started in dedication to his sister Katherine Alyce McKenzie-Meadows, who survived the disease. The 16 calendar hunks, as McWilliams called them, stayed at the carnival for more than an hour and a half and took pictures with any guest who wanted them.
The Breast Care Angles are a group of individuals and companies who donate anywhere from $20 to $20,000 month. The organization’s mission is to provide both financial and emotional assistance to those going through breast cancer treatment and their families.
The angels are currently assisting 70 women in four counties, according to their Web site. Assistance comes in the form of gift cards to super markets and clothing retailers, help with emergency housing costs, and social brunches to pair clients with Angel volunteers.
To donate to the Breast Cancer Angels visit their site, www.breastcancerangels, or mail a check to Breast Cancer Angels, 6889 Andrew Way, Cypress, CA 90630. Donations are used for prescriptions, rental assistance, child-care, food certificates, utilities, transportation, insurance, co-pays, hospice care and other miscellaneous expenses.
KAMMCARES also provides moral and financial support to those in breast cancer treatments. In addition to the Men of Mortuaries calendar, McKenzie also hosts yearly estate sales to benefit Southern California’s hospice programs and hosted a season premier of “Six Feet Under” to raise money for the Long Beach AIDS Walk.
For additioanl information about KAMMCARES, visit www.kammcares.org or to purchase a calendar, visit www.menofmortuaries.
