This trio of women, Shirley Kujala (left), Barb Brasington and Ronie Helton, express their negative feelings about cancer in no uncertain terms.
It's not unusual for people to donate items that they have handcrafted, sewn or baked, but it is rare for them to give of themselves ñ literally.
Among the hundreds of items auctioned at the 9th Annual Richard Farkas Memorial fund-raiser on Saturday, several individuals put themselves "on the auction block" to raise money for the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Kim Powers had two motives for auctioning off the right to cut her 16-inch pony tail. First, she wanted to donate her hair to a charity that makes wigs for young cancer patients, and, secondly, she wanted to earn some money for cancer research. Her dramatic hair cut fulfilled her goals by earning $95 for cancer research as well as providing hair for a child's wig.
Another woman, whose mother had died of cancer, offered eight hours of service for house cleaning, paining or yard work for a donation to the cancer fund, and an accomplished chef offered his services to prepare a meal in exchange for a donation.
Other individuals donated quilts, baby blankets, handcrafted wood items and catered food.
Auctioneer Brad Newhart led the bidding on a wide range of items from dinners at local restaurants, overnight stays at area motels, beauty products and golf course passes to children's clothing, massages, car washes and Detroit Pistons' tickets.
Organizer for the fund-raising event was Linda Combs. Committee members were Mary Ellen Buckle, Randy and Sue Combs, Rex Combs, Bev DeCrane, Janice Eaton, Jim Foley, Debra and Ross Gagneau, Sherry and Steve Glazier, Bob and Pam Heater, Andrea Helton, Ronie Jo Helton, Jeannette Hilligos, Theresa Hutchinson, Gary and Sheila Trimmer, Keith and Nancy Valinski and Lisa Ochalek. Pam Heater, Sue Banners and Connie Fink assisted with the luminaries.
Among those honored was Alex Graham, the 17-year-old niece of Belleville residents, Jim and Eileen Graham, who died of bone cancer.
"Her (Alex) Make-A-Wish Dream," said Combs, "was to make a commercial. Alex and eight of her friends shared their story of love, hope and compassion.
Combs quoted the message, "It's not our fault we got sick, so please don't stare at us because we may look a little different. We're just kids like you. Sometimes, cancer messes up our voice, but we still got something to say.
"We already had too many shots, too many transfusions, too many pokes. We've had enough hurt in our life already, so next time you see a kid with cancer, or someone who looks a little different, try a smile. We could use it."
"Imagine, this young lady could wish for just about anything and she wished for a smile," Combs said. "Alex touched a lot of people in her short life, and her wish is very important for all of us to remember."
A photo display of Eagle members who had died of cancer was featured in the dining hall, along with a picture of the late Richard Farkas, a former Eagle officer whose death sparked the idea for the memorial fundraiser. Many deceased family members and friends were honored with luminaries that were displayed outside the building.
The event, which was staged at the Van Buren Eagles 3996 hall, was catered by Carrabba's Italian Grill of Canton, and music was provided by AKA:Beat. Bob and Linda Geeseman were in charge of decorating the hall with an Italian theme, and sound engineering was by Karaoke Fever.
All proceeds will be used for prostate and ovarian cancer research at the university. Final figures on the donations were not available at press time.
Joan Dyer-Zinner is a freelance writer and former editor for The View. She can be reached through editor@bellevilleview.com.
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