As I’ve mentioned a few times on-air, last September I was honored to be asked to serve on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society of Linn County’s annual benefit. Like so many people, I have lost family members and close friends to cancer. Watching a person fight against the disease can be hard, but I also find it fills people with a resolve to make a difference. I knew instantly this was my chance to do just that.

This year’s event is titled CR Alive! It’s a statement of strength and courage in the fight against cancer and also a show of pride for the resurgence of Cedar Rapids and the surrounding community since the flood of 2008.

CR Alive! is scheduled for April 29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids. You can buy tickets now at CRAlive.org. The event will have a free-flowing format (think festival atmosphere) with live entertainment, including an art piece created by muralist Marianna Coffey and music by The Corridor—a band comprised of great local musicians, including Kevin “B.F.” Burt, Tommy “T-Bone” Gibblin, Dan DJ Johnson, Craig Erickson, Eric Madison, Skeeter Lewis, Dennis McMurrin, and “The Governor of Funk,” Bruce Chadima. In addition to the entertainment, we’ll also have games and activities, a live and silent auction, craft beer sampling, cuisine stations, and a dessert bar!

The annual spring benefit is the most important fundraiser of the year for the ACS of Linn County. The efforts of the ACS reach far and wide—but also right here in our own community. Locally, the ACS has 28 active Road to Recovery drivers ready to provide transportation to and from treatment. We have four active hotel partners ready to serve patients with lodging needs when travel is required. Currently, the American Cancer Society has over $1.1 million dollars invested in Iowa cancer research at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. This is just a glimpse into the program of work the American Cancer Society accomplishes each and every day.

CR Alive! will be one of the most unique events of 2017. We’ll celebrate our community and raise crucial funding to continue the work and mission of the American Cancer Society. Once again, you can get tickets now at CRAlive.org. I hope to see you there!

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