OMC Fondation’s Harvest of Hope event raises $102K for cancer center

Going virtual for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation’s 2020 annual fundraiser didn’t keep its supporters from reaching six figures in backing local healthcare efforts.

The foundation on Oct. 3 raised $102,000 at its 18th-annual Harvest of Hope virtual event presented by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, with funds going towards services and equipment for the OMC Cancer Center in Sequim.

In addition to funds for a new palliative care program, attendees of the online event contributed $30,000 to fund the cancer center’s Patient Navigator program that provides basic living expenses for low-income cancer patients.

Foundation representatives also presented the Rick Kaps Award to long-time community, foundation and OMC Cancer Center donors First Federal and the First Federal Community Foundation. The Kaps Award — named after the former Sequim High School basketball coach and educator who died from cancer in 1998 — is presented each year to an organization or individual who has contributed to cancer and overall health care on the North Olympic Peninsula.

The foundation has contributed more than $2.4 million for the OMC Cancer Center.

“OMC and the Foundation is thankful for all of the support that it has received from hundreds of donors who have contributed towards this effort,” foundation executive director Bruce Skinner said.

Harvest of Hope chair Karen Rogers added, “We really want to thank our sponsors; because of their support, every penny raised at Harvest of Hope goes toward the treatment of cancer.”

Persons who are interested in more information or in making a donation can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144 or email Skinner at bruce@omhf.org.