Kat Dodson Benefit reaches milestone
NEW LEXINGTON — The Kat Dodson Foundation's 13th Annual Benefit is this Saturday at the Saint Rose Parish Community Center in New Lexington. Through all the years of donating all its proceeds to the Perry County Cancer Alliance, the benefit hopes to reach a milestone in total funds raised supporting those who suffer from cancer.
“In 2007, our sister, Kathy, found out she had cancer and 63 days later, she passed away,” Carol Dodson told The Perry County Tribune.
The benefit will open its doors on Saturday at noon and will feature a Chinese auction with drawing at 3:15 p.m. and numbers can be dropped for the drawing from noon to 3. There will also be a live auction starting at 6 p.m. and will end at 10, and those who are interested in participating in the live auction must sign in by 5:30 p.m.
The event will also include food, drinks, baked goods, gift certificates, lotto trees as well as a 50/50 raffle happening every hour. There will also be theme baskets that will be raffled.
The annual benefit recognizes the life and legacy of Kathy (Kat) Dodson who was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Carcinoma, a type of cancer, in September of 2007. With her family in shock and devastation, they decided to take matters into their own hands and raise funds to help fight the all too familiar disease.
The conception of the benefit began when Kathy observed a need for cancer patients in Perry County. Seeing how, at the time, many families and individuals needed support through financial means, Kathy imagined a fundraiser dedicated to those fighting cancer.
“When she was in hospice she said, ‘we should raise money and help the families of these cancer patients',” Carol stated. “She was a cancer patient herself, in hospice, and talking about raising money for other people.”
The first year the benefit was held, Kathy and her family started quickly organizing the benefit. A week prior to the date of the benefit, Kathy passed away never being able to see what her generous idea would bring.
“That first year we raised $40,000 on two weeks planning,” Carol commented.
After the first organized benefit, all proceeds were donated to FAIRHOPE Hospice and the PCCA. Today, all proceeds that are raised, in remembrance of Kathy, are donated to the PCCA alone. With this being the 13th annual fundraiser, Carol hopes to surpass $400,000 in funds raised for the PCCA.
“It all stays here in Perry County,” Carol stated.
Carol added that the benefit never sets a goal because “it's more than the Cancer Alliance had the day before.” Last year the Kat Dodson Benefit raised around $64,000 total in just one day.
“That's our highest we’ve ever done,” Carol commented. “Whether or not we will do it again this year, I doubt, but you never know. People seem to amaze us here in Perry County of how much money they give.”
Carol is adamant in letting donors, local and visitors that all proceeds go directly to the PCCA and their efforts to support cancer patients in Perry County. Locals understand this too as some businesses and individuals in the area donate keeping costs for the benefit down to zero.
For the Saturday benefit, over 400 donated items are to be auctioned off with Ron Baker taking the helm in being the auctioneer. About 200 items will be in the Chinese auction and the rest will be included in the “big” live auction.
“The community that comes together, bringing in donations, raffle baskets, you name it,” Carol emphasized. “It’s all donated.”
Carol, and her siblings, see how “passionate” residents and community leaders are about donating to a cause. She explained that the PCCA focuses primarily on local communities compared to other charitable organizations that perform nationwide assistance and research.
“They see the help that they get,” Carol explained.
The Dodson family, as well as friends, partnered with the Perry County Cancer Alliance to combine efforts in making sure that funding that is raised stays in Perry County for those who have cancer. With all supplies, auction items and food donated specifically for the benefit, the Dodson’s have collectively raised a total of $389,000 for the PCCA for the past 13 years.
The Perry County Cancer Alliance, or PCCA, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was established in 1999. The 100 percent volunteer operated organization dedicates its work for the people of Perry County by keeping all raised funding inside the county. Each year, there are around 180 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Perry County.
