We Three Things, comprised fo William Israel, from left, Ethan Israel and Andrew Sandstrom hit the water during the Polar Plunge at East Side Lake in 2015.
Herald file photos
Plunging into another year By Jason Schoonover
jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
P
aint the Town Pink is ready to soar to new heights in 2017. In its seventh year, PTTP keeps growing, as does its goal. The goal is to raise $300,000, the most ever, and many favorite annual events will return to help reach that goal. The Bruins’ Paint the Rink Pink game will be at 7:05 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Riverside Arena, and Plunging for Pink will be at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 on East Side Lake.
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
“You’d be hard pressed to find another area that is as generous and caring as our area is, so we appreciate all of you very, very much.” — PTTP Director Kathi Finley Paint the Town Pink director
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Continued from Page 3 Last year, PTTP raised just under $272,000 to bring the total raised through PTTP efforts to $826,000, according to Institute Director of Development and Public Relations Gail Dennison. “That’s phenomenal,” she said previously. The official PTTP 2017 celebration period runs Jan. 30 to Feb. 12, but several events will be held outside that time period. PTTP started with the Austin Bruins’ Paint the Rink Pink in 2011 with a $23,000 donation, but PTTP has spread beyond Austin with citywide events held in communities like Adams, Brownsdale, Rose Creek, Grand Meadow, Blooming Prairie and LeRoy. this year, Adams PTTP will add a Pinko Bingo at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Austin Eagles Club. Sterling Drug promotes Paint the Town Pink in their stores in Austin, Adrian, Buffalo, Caledonia, Fairmont, Faribault, Harmony, Hastings, LaCrescent, Northfield, Osage, Rushford, Spring Grove and Worthington. As with every donation to The Hormel Institute, 100 percent of the funds go to cancer research; none go to administrative expenses. Dennison noted cancer has touched everyone in some way. “I don’t need to ask you if cancer has touched your lives, because it obviously has,” she said. However, Dennison said cancer mortality deaths have steadily declined, largely due to research. Thanks to support from The Hormel Foundation, Dennison noted The Institute is able to use all PTTP donations for cancer research. “Because of research, we’re making a difference,” Dennison said. PTTP donations fund seed grants at The Institute, which scientists then use to seek larger pools of grant funding. “Really, it’s some of the best research in the world and they’re good stewards of the money,” Dennison said. PTTP Director Kathy Finley thanked the community for its support, and she thanked steering committee, members, businesses and individuals that host or support PTTP’s various fundraising events. “You’d be hard pressed to find another area that is as generous and caring as our area is, so we appreciate all of you very, very much,” Finley said. While cancer can bring a difficult time for those fighting it and their families, Finley said the community has seen many successes. “There’s actually been some tears of joy from people that have battled cancer and won, so that is a victory for everybody,” Finley said.
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Austin’s Drew Anderson fights through Aberdeen traffic to try and get to the puck during a past Paint the Rink Pink game in Riverside Arena. Herald file photo
Austin Bruins mascot Bruiser the Bear tries to coax Rita Srock of The Eagles Club into bidding higher on tickets to the Paint the Rink Pink game during the Paint the Town Pink kickoff at The Hormel Institute earlier in January. Herald file photo AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
Painting a cause green: fundraising totals Total Funds Raised *2017: Goal $300,000
TOTAL: $826,000 2016: $271,990 2015: $190,000 2014: $163,000 2013: $115,000 2012: $63,000 2011: $23,000 Organizer/contact: Kathi Finley : gopttp@gmail.com; Gail Dennison, gdennison@ hi.umn.edu
Austin Bruins’ Paint the Rink Pink
TOTAL: $195,405 2016: $42,750 2015: $27,242 2014: $25,100 2013: $39,819 2012: $38,124 2011: $22,370 Organizer/contact: Craig Patrick, owner: craig@austinbruins.com Mike Cooper, co-owner, mikec@austinbruins.com
Plunging for Pink
TOTAL: $186,635 2016: $75,710 2015: $58,235 2014: $37,700 2013: $16,100 Organizer/contact: Toren Bires, TWBires@Hormel.com
Sterling Drug/Astrup
TOTAL: $23,000 (estimate) 2015: $23,000 (estimate) Organizer/contact: Daniel Hicks, Sterling marketing and employee engagement coordinator
Fishing for a Cure
TOTAL: $67,038 2016: $14,622 2015: $10,855 2014: $9,083 2013: $13,734 2012: $11,887 2011: $3,551 2010: $1,931 2009: $1,375 Organizer/contact: Glenn and Babs Newman. (New in
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
‘16: replaced Jim Nelson/Duane Smith)
AgStar
TOTAL: $60,000 2016: $10,000 2015: $10,000 2014: $10,000 2013: $10,000 2012: $10,000 2011: $10,000 Organizer/contact: John Monson, Chair, AgStar Fund Board
Strides for a Cure TOTAL: $15,500 2016: $2,500 2015: $2,500 2014: $3,000 2013: $2,500 2012: $2,500 2011: $2,500
Adams
TOTAL: $25,865 2016: $10,865 2015: $15,000 Organizer/contact: Patti Hamilton
Brownsdale
TOTAL: $28,091 2016: $6,035 2015: $11,556 2014: $10,500 Organizer/contact: Emily Hovland
Hormel Foods plant TOTAL: $44,219 2016: $12,703 2015: $11,900 2014: $9,616 2013: $7,000 2012: $3,000
$
Paint the Town Pink 2017 schedule
•Matchbox Theater, “Cinderella,” Jan. 27-29 at the Paramount Theatre •Hotdish Feed & Bean Bag Tournament, 12 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Hoot & Ole’s •Austin Big Band Dance, 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 3 at the Hormel Historic Home •Pledging for Pink Radiothon, Feb. 3 on KAUS Radio •Snowmobile Speed Run, 11 a.m. on Feb. 4 at East Side Lake •Plunging For Pink Polar Plunge, 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 at East Side Lake •Soup & Bake Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 8 at St. Mark’s Living •Community Dinner, 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Primrose •Paint the Rink Pink: Austin Bruins Hockey Game & Jersey Auction, 7:05 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Riverside Arena •Fishing for a Cure, 12 p.m. on Feb. 11 at East Side Lake •Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby, 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Mower County Fairgrounds •Adams PINKO BINGO (Dinner 5:30, Bingo 7, DJ 9), 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Austin Eagles Club •Rose Creek PTTP, Feb. 18 in Rose Creek with activities scheduled all day
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Dutchtown Jumpers set the bar Top raising Plunging for Pink team aims to keep its crown By Jason Schoonover
J
jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
eremy “Ole” Olson remembers a few years ago he was having drinks with Mike and Kathy Madsen, the former owners of what’s now Hoot & Ole’s. Olson said he’d jump in the plunge wearing a Speedo if they raised $500. Mike grabbed an old pickle jar to raise money and put $500 in it. “I just shook my head and started shopping for Speedos that would fit me,” said Olson, now a co-owner of Hoot & Ole’s. Olson and plunge team The Dutchtown Jumpers are eager to continue their reign as the top fundraising
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?
Did you know The Dutchtown Jumpers name comes from the east Austin neighborhood where Hoot & Ole’s is located. The area used to be called Dutchtown.
team of the annual Plunging for Pink fundraiser for Paint the Town Pink. In recent years, Olson and the Dutchtown Jumpers have been known for their Speedos and outlandish attire, but to Olson it’s all about the cause. “It’s all in good clean fun and all the money’s going to a good cause,” he said. Plunging for Pink is slated for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at East Side Lake, and the team is targeting another record year. While co-owner Judy Enright expected they’ll reach $15,000 this year as a team, but Olson says they can
raise even more. The Dutchtown Jumpers raised $3,500 in 2014, $15,100 in 2015 and $13,000 in 2016. As the top team, they received a $5,000 match in ‘15 to raise their total to $15,100 and $23,100 in ‘16. Enright said she’s hoping to raise at least $15,000 this year, and Olson feels they can top that. Over the last three years, the Dutchtown Jumpers of Hoot & Ole’s have raised $44,100, raising $13,000 last year with a match from AgStar. Olson said one of his favorite moments was when they presented $10,000 for the plunge a few years ago, and organizers could hardly believe it. “It’s just a great moment for our whole team,” he said. While Enright notes while each of the 20-plus Dutchtown Jumpers team members must raise at least $100 through pledges for the plunge, each typically comes in closer to $400 to $500. “Most of them will bring a lot more,” Enright said. While much of the money comes through
plunge pledges, the Dutchtown Jumpers are organizing various events too. The bar’s annual beanbag tournament and hot dish feed will start with an 11 a.m. registration on Saturday, Jan. 28. The bean bag tournament begins at noon. Cost for the bean bag tournament is $10, and teams are drawn. About 15 to 20 have participated each year. The hotdish feed is $5 a plate and it featured more than 20 plates last year. They’ll also feature chicken bowling, where people bowl with a frozen chicken and get three rolls. “It’s not as easy as you think because it rolls all cockeyed,” Enright said. They’re also holding a raffle and they’re aiming to sell a thousand tickets for prizes like meat, a four-hour party bus ride and a hot air balloon ride. The winners will be drawn around 3 p.m. Saturday, and tickets are still available at the bar. Since many bars hold chili feeds, Olson said a hotdish feed seemed different and fitting for Minnesota. “It’s Minnesota, everybody loves hotdishes,” Olson said.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
The Dutchtown Jumpers formed a 501(c)3 this year, which was costly to complete, but they can now have a bank account, hold raffles and accept checks. The team also does a crawfish boil, it holds a golf tournament, and they work a 50-50 at the Austin Bruins and Chateau Raceway. But the plunge and bean bag tournament remain two of their signature fundraisers. To Enright, it’s great seeing all the people come out and all the hot dishes lined up. She remembers the first year of the bean bag tournament, when they faced frigid temperatures that had participants coming in after a round with their beers frozen. However, she said people still played and enjoyed it. Olson notes their involvement with PTTP has been good for the bar, but he said the main goal is still raise money. In fact, Olson said they take pride each year in being the top raising team and have no plans to relinquish their crown. “As long as we own this bar, we’ll be rocking and rolling and trying to make the money of any team that’s going to be in the polar plunge,” he said. And, of course, the costumes will continue, though Olson isn’t giving hints on this year’s outfits, except to say they have ideas. “People want to see what kind of crazy stuff we’ll do from year to year,” he said.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
Jeremy Olson gets the crowd going before his jump into East Side Lake for the Polar Plunge last year. Herald File Photo
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Paint the Town Pink 2017 ambassador Debbie Retterath, left, and Director Kathy Finley share a laugh during the PTTP kickoff at The Hormel Institute in January during Business After Hours. Herald file photo
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‘You do not fight alone’
Debbie Retterath: Being named 2017 ambassador is a tribute to family, PTTP team By Debbie Retterath
M
2017 PTTP ambassador
y cancer journey began in September 2014 when I discovered a breast lump. It was about three weeks before our youngest son Kurtis’ wedding, so I pushed the scary thoughts aside, kept it to myself and focused on the much anticipated wedding. After the wedding I made the call to get a mammogram scheduled. I am forever grateful for the tech at Mayo Clinic Health Systems for the most amazing show of kindness and support. It was very
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
clear from this appointment I was headed down a path no one wants to travel but too many have. And on Halloween 2014, I received confirmation of breast cancer. By December, I had my first “cocktail hour” (my reference to chemo treatments). Four hundred and twenty eight days later, on Feb. 12, 2016, I had my last “cocktail hour” followed by a real party with family and friends to celebrate the end of the treatment portion and show my appreciation for the amazing support my family and I received. Since D-Day — my diagnosis day — I have been constantly reminded of the kind and generous nature of friends and family. A group of family and friends had been discussing officially joining the PTTP efforts prior to D-Day. We had been organizing a few pink events for a couple years but after my diagnosis, they just jumped in full force and the “official” Adams Paint The Town Pink started. Heading into our third year, the group has expanded to include representatives from Grand Mead-
ow and LeRoy and we have received great support from Brownsdale and Rose Creek as well. During my treatments, I participated in every single study and test I was deemed eligible for. There is nothing more important than knocking down cancer, one type at a time and finding different, less harsh ways to treat this disease. During these 428 days of treatment, I took selfies so I could remember later what cancer put me, and my family through. Cancer survivors are tough as nails and I am very grateful to all the cancer patients before me who paved the way for me to receive the absolute best care with the best outcome. Continuing to support the world class scientists and doctors at The Hormel Institute just brings us all one step closer to unlocking the keys to prevention, treatment, and cure. Being the 2017 PTTP ambassador is more of a tribute to my team, my family who pushed me on every single day, to the friends who stepped up to drive me
to appointments and treatments, who dropped off meals, who sent daily messages and prayers, and to everyone who freely passed out hugs and encouragement when greeting me. We all know the financial and physical impact of cancer, but friends, family and communities are the biggest keys to overcoming the emotional impact of cancer. My favorite motto is “You do not fight alone” and I never felt alone. Until we can end cancer, I want all cancer survivors and their teams to know: You do not fight alone. —Debbie works for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and for The Austin Eagles Club. Her husband, Scott, works at Freeborn County Cooperative Oil. They have two sons: Kurtis, who works at Hormel Foods Corp., and Kody, who works at Vestas as a wind turbine tech. Kody’s wife, Brooke, is a dental hygienist at Dr Elrod, Green and Hyland. They are expecting Debbie’s first grandchild in February. The entire family lives in Adams.
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Man takes flight to fight cancer Tim Cloyd’s Extreme Flight to Find a Cure will benefit The Hormel Institute By Jason Schoonover
A
jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
n Iowa man is flying in to lend his talents to Paint the Town Pink to raise money for cancer research. Hot air balloonist Tim Cloyd of TEC Visions will dedicate his fifth Exteme Flight to Find a Cure to benefit The Hormel Institute. Cloyd had been doing long-distance, high-altitude flights before, but he decided to start doing them as a way to raise money for good causes. Supporting cancer research was quickly pegged as an option. Thus, the Extreme Flight to Find a Cure was born.
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“I was doing long distance flights, and I wanted to then do it for a reason. And cancer touched us all.”
— Tim Cloyd, TEC Visions, Extreme Flight to Find a Cure “I was doing long-distance flights, and I wanted to then do it for a reason,” Cloyd said. “And cancer touched us all.” YMCA Director Tedd Maxfield, a fellow hot air balloon pilot, met Cloyd and got him interested in PTTP. “I’m really happy that Tim and The Hormel Institute have connected for this extreme flight,” Maxfield said. “I’m very much looking forward to it.” Cloyd urged people to follow his flight online, as it will take place sometime before late March, depending on weather. He compared the flight to a walk-a-thon, and he reads names of cancer survivors, fighters, and those who have lost the fight for a donation of $10 or more during the flight.
“It’s important to help honor people on this flight,” he said. “I can fly their name, and it’s another way they can honor the people that have dealt with cancer.” Cloyd uses a traditional hot air balloon, but he needs oxygen and he needs to wear the proper weather garb. Temperatures can hit minus 20 at times, and he’ll need to oxygen to fly at such heights. While this type of hot air balloon flight is dangerous and challenging due to extreme cold, low oxygen, and other risks, Cloyd says he is happy to fly in support of all the cancer patients who fight for their lives. “I need oxygen to survive up there; I’ll experience extremely cold temperatures, but what I go through is insignificant compared to what cancer patients go through.”
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
Cloyd watches the weather to determine the best time to fly so the balloon can stay in the air for the longest possible amount of time. His goal is to fly 200 to 500 miles between now and March at altitudes up to 17,000 feet and speeds up to 100 mph. The first Extreme Flight to Find a Cure occurred in 2013, and past flights have been over distances from 105 to 413 miles and Cloyd always aims to be in the air for as long as possible. He usually takes off in Iowa or Missouri to avoid running into problems with Lake Michigan or Lake Superior on his flight path. He has multiple ground crews running with him, one that helps him launch and tracks his progress and another that goes ahead to potential landing sites. Donors will be notified of the flight date via email or by Tec Visions’ Facebook page a few days before the flight and can track the event live through the Tec Visions website. As no one can be sure when the Extreme Flight to Find a Cure will happen this year or where the ideal take-off and landing points will be, other hot air balloon events will occur during Paint the Town Pink for a dose of high flying fun. Local ballooners Tedd Maxfield and others will have stationary balloons you can see at East Side Lake day of the Polar Plunge and at Mower County Fairgrounds the day of the 5k and demolition derby. “We are thankful for all the events and for how generous and caring our communities are,” Paint the Town Pink director Kathi Finley said. “The people that come up with events or donate to Paint the Town Pink know firsthand of how cancer affects lives. Supporting research is the only way to truly make a difference.” Finley urges anyone who is interested in participating in the 2017 PTTP to contact her at 507-460-0259 or by email at GoPTTP@gmail. com. PTTP updates and events on Facebook can be at: www.facebook.com/austinpttp.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
YMCA Directory Tedd Maxfield, left, looks on as Tim Cloyd of TEC Visions discusses his “Exteme Flight to Find a Cure” during the Paint the Town Pink kickoff earlier this month. Herald file photo
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Paint the Town Pink through the years 2011
—Craig Patrick and Melissa Tok of Austin Bruins (thanks to Renee Wangen of KAUS guiding them to The Hormel Institute’s cancer research) present idea for “Paint the Rink Pink” cancer research fundraiser. It led to a sellout hockey game with pink ice, custom pink jerseys, jersey auction and more. In our first year collaborating with the Austin Bruins, we received nearly $23,000 to fund innovative cancer research. —Fishing for a Cure led by Jim Nelson and Duane Smith provided cancer research funds to The Hormel Institute since 2010, but designated their annual gift to PTTP beginning in 2011. Since then the popular winter event has raised over $67,000 in cancer research support! Glenn and Babs Newmann are the new
organizers: thank you Fishing for a Cure. —One of the first groups to annually support PTTP is Emily Hovland and members of the Austin High School Youth Leadership Club. They started what has become an annual PTTP event “Strides for a Cure” 5K run/walk and 5-mile run to support breast cancer research. The students have raised nearly $16,000 for Paint the Town Pink through the years. —Another important donor to join PTTP efforts is AgStar Fund for Rural America. Cancer research advocates John Monson and Larry Anderson designated $10,000 annually for cancer research, noting the important connection between food and health, as part of The Hormel Institute’s research focus includes chemicals found in foods: anticancer targets.
2012
—The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau board of directors expanded “ Paint the RInk Pink” to “Paint the Town Pink” to include other events, such as house and business decorating, pink flags down main street (thanks to the donation from Jeff Baldus and Kim Underwood) Plunging for Pink, Fishing for a Cure, Hunt for a Cure, Children’s Matchbox Theatre and Smashing for Cancer by Mower County Fair
board, YMCA’s 5K, St. Olaf Church pink pancakes and more. Founding members include past CVB director Cheryl Corey, Janet Anderson, Jeff Baldus, Holiday Inn Austin, —Donations from the “pink” fundraising in 2011 and 2012 helped support the acquisition of cutting-edge technology for The Hormel Institute’s researchers to use in accelerating discoveries for breast cancer research.
Austin’s Drew Anderson fights through Aberdeen traffic to try and get to the puck during the second period of the Paint the Rink Pink game Saturday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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2013
—Paint the Town Pink steering committee grew to include Mayo Clinic Health System Austin (and support from Albert Lea.) Funds from the 2013 PTTP were distributed in the form of seven grants to seven scientists at The Hormel Institute for breast cancer research. Grant recipients were chosen by a review panel at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. Known as “seed grants,” the funds will help Institute researchers conduct work that will enable them to better seek significantly larger grants for breast cancer research.
2014
—Kathi Finley is hired as director. Nearby communities were asked to join the campaign and Adams, Albert Lea, Brownsdale, Blooming Prairie, LeRoy, Rose Creek and others joined PTTP. —New events grow in popularity such as Hormel Foods’ team (led by Joe Muzik) creating “Plunging for Pink” a polar plunge held at East Side Lake. Teams for the Polar Plunge fundraise and dress in costume: spon-
Hormel Institute Executive Director Zigang Dong, center and Austin Bruins owner Craig Patrick, right, were all smiles in 2014 when the Paint the Town Pink total — $16,300 — was announced at The Institute. Herald file photo
sors include HyVee, Holiday Inn.
2015
—KAUS founded “Pledging for
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
—The 2015 PTTP honorees were the Rodney & Susan Ryks Family. Susan Ryks is a breast cancer survivor, and the Ryks family have been significantly involved in PTTP fundraising and events, including winning the 2013 PTTP pink home decorating contest. The Ryks also have been active in PTTP fundraising at the Hormel Foods Austin Plant, “Plunging for Pink” and the annual Austin Packers football team’s “Pink Out” night game, among other things. —The Ulland family produced “Pink Pumpkin Patch” that secured a major grant for Paint the Town Pink. The popular Hollandale farm grew pink pumpkins, had decorating stations for kids to paint/ decorate pumpkins, pink greats and more. —Kathi Finley and her “Hope” PINK tractor gave rides to hundreds of visitors, children and families.
2016 Pink” a radiothon that ended up taking place during a major snowstorm. The event was supported
by a $10,000 matching grant gifted by AgStar Fund for Rural America.
—Sterling Main Street led a fundraiser in their many stores that brought in a huge $28,000 to support PTTP.
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How is Paint the Town Pink money used? Institute Associate Director Dr. Ann Bode previously outlined how PTTP funding is used. Research is expensive with the needs for equipment, supplies and technology, but The Institute has other expenses like lighting and heating bills. Thanks to support from The Hormel Foundation, The Institute is able to dedicate all PTTP
money directly to research. The head of each research group applies for PTTP funds. If they receive funds, they have two years to try to build on the research and apply for a larger grant through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Other projects have helped develop
Bode
biomarkers to help tell if breast cancer treatments are effective. Institute scientists have also developed drugs and natural compounds to combat the various types of breast cancers. “There’s all of these different types of breast cancer that we can focus on [and] target, and we’re able to do that because
of your help,” she said. Section leader Dr. Rebecca Morris has researched stem cells in cancer. Through PTTP funds, Morris and her team have previously applied the lessons learned studying skin cancer to breast cancer. —Austin Daily Herald
“My research has for the past 3 decades involved the role of hair follicle stem cells in non-melanoma skin cancer. Although skin cancer casts a large burden on society, it is only rarely life threatening. In contrast, mammary cancer that also involves epithelial cells remains too often fatal. Funding from PTTP has enabled my laboratory to transition from cutaneous to mammary cancer, and has enabled us to learn new techniques, and to perform pilot experiments designed to illuminate the role of mammary epithelial stem cells in cancer. We hope to use the results from PTTP funded pilot studies to compete successfully for a larger NIH grant this year. This goal would not be achievable without the PTTP funding as it requires learning to work with entirely different epithelial cells and different cancer etiology. Thank you PTTP.”
“The PTTP project in Dr. Cleary’s laboratory is focused on triple-negative (estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative) breast cancer (TNBC). Although TNBC accounts for only 15 percent of all diagnosed breast cancer cases, it represents one of the biggest challenges for successful treatment because there is no targeted therapy against TNBC due to the lack the estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as HER2). We propose that one factor that may be targeted is altered glucose metabolism as aggressive breast cancers utilize this nutrient for cell proliferation. We are working to identify a therapeutic target which will specifically inhibit cellular glucose uptake, which is known to be highly elevated in TNBC. The PTTP funding has allowed us to obtain preliminary data which will be used for future grant applications to the National Cancer Institute. “
— Dr. Rebecca Morris, cancer research professor in the Stem Cells and Cancer Lab
— Dr. Margot Cleary, cancer research professor in the Nutrition and Metabolism Lab
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
Thanks for fighting cancer By Gail Dennison
Director of Development and Public Relations, The Hormel Institute
I
remember the call in the fall of 2010 from Melissa Tok, then with the Austin Bruins: “Renee Wangen of KAUS suggested I call you. Would you be interested in collaborating for a cancer research fundraiser called Paint the Rink Pink — we’d like to do one in Austin and give the proceeds to The Hormel Institute.” YES, I most certainly was interested. The idea sounded wonderful for many reasons. Most importantly, it would bring in funds dedicated to cancer research, furthering our cause at The Hormel Institute to find answers to cancer as quickly as possible. Also, it would be great PR to continue to share with the community about The Hormel Institute’s groundbreaking cancer research and an important opportunity to share with our community all they can do to prevent cancer through lifestyle/health choices. Finally, it sounded like great fun to have all this take place via a hockey event with the central color being pink. I met Craig Patrick, Austin Bruins owner (with Mike Cooper becoming co-owner a few years ago) and the friendship was immediate. Dr. Zigang Dong, Dr. Ann Bode and all of the Institute scientists and staff appreciated the Bruins’ support of The Hormel Institute’s cancer research. From the beginning in 2011, Paint the Rink Pink was a phenomenal success. Each year the event sold out, with Austin Park and Rec creating pink ice, pink custom jerseys worn proudly by supportive Bruins players then auctioned off after an entertaining and I’m sure for them, humbling, talent show involving song and dance, the meaningful “puck drop” by Bruins’ families whose lives have been touched by cancer and an audience dedicated to joining the cause to make progress in the war against cancer. The hard work, now joined by Mike Cooper and efforts led by Mike Delhanty and Becky Earl (then of the Bruins) is so greatly appreciated. Paint the Town Pink came about the very next year when Austin Convention & Visitors office, then led by Cheryl Corey and board members including Jeff Baldus, Kim Underwood, Janet Anderson, Larry Eisenberg, Val Pitzen (who has sadly passed from cancer) Holiday Inn and others developed the idea of growing the popular event into a citywide winter festival. Paint the Town Pink has grown. There are pink flags (and now some multi color because the funds help research for ALL types of cancer) on majors streets throughout Austin (thank you Jeff Baldus and family), Mower County Fair Board winter demo derby, and each year involvement AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK
The Hormel Institute’s Gail Dennison talks as Paint the Town Pink committee members look on during the PTTP kickoff at The Hormel Institute Tuesday during Business After Hours. Herald file photo by Hormel Foods, YMCA, Mayo Clinic Health System, Fishing for the Cure, Polar Plunge AgStar matching major donation, Sterling Main Street, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Strides for a Cure, KAUS radiothon, a pink themed play at Paramount Theatre, pink house and business decorating, the polar plunge started by Joe Muzik at the encouragement of Tim Fritz for young Hormel managers to give back to the community and an ever-growing number of pink fundraisers held by the wonderful people of Austin — and now neighboring communities — for our important cause: Stopping the devastation cancer can cause. Kathi Finley joining PTTP as director was key, as she has the biggest heart for people who are dealing with cancer and the drive to do all she can by encouraging fundraising events and leading the steering committee of volunteers. “We are so thankful for all who support Paint the Town Pink,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive
Director of The Hormel Institute. “The first two years we applied funds to technology that all scientists now use at the Institute and in recent years, award seed grants for innovative cancer reseach. Every dollar is used to make progress and to see and experience PTTP is deeply appreciated and inspiring.” The first event brought in $22,000 and this year’s goal, if reached, will take Paint the Town Pink to over $1 million. Many friends have been made through PTTP and much wonderful connection, progress and support gained. From all of us at The Hormel Institute, thank you to our community for creating this amazing tidal wave called Paint the Town Pink, a gift that truly is for everybody. The people, the caring hearts, the decorations and fun events — all bring a lot of color and warmth to winter, and us closer to the goal of a cancer-free world. THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017
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Retterath is 2017 ambassador “I learned very quickly that I did not fight alone,” she said as she teared This year’s Paint the Town Pink up. “I was surrounded by an amazing Ambassador is Debbie Retterath of group of family and friends.” Adams. Retterath helped Paint the Town “[It’s] overwhelmingly humbling to Pink organizers kick off the seventh be given this honor,” year of the cancer Retterath said. fundraising in the Retterath was diagRay Live Learning nosed with breast canCenter of The Horcer on Halloween 2014 mel Institute during and received treatBusiness After Hours ment over the course earlier in January. As of 428 days, she was she looked around, declared cance-free she had plenty of in June 2015, and her proof in adding last treatment came in that loved ones February 2016. and strangers are She was involved lending a hand in Paint the Town Pink comin a few of the cancer mittee member Judy Enright fighting cancer. fundraising events “There are and 2017 ambassador Debbie before but she and her Retterath embrace during the strangers that group didn’t get more PTTP kickoff. Herald file photo don’t know us that involved in Adams are doing what Paint the Town Pink activities until everyone here in this building and after her diagnosis. in this room are doing, and that’s Retterath has a simple message for how we know we are not alone,” anyone battling cancer: You are not said Retterath, this year’s PTTP amalone. bassador. Austin Daily Herald
newsroom@austindailyherald.com
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017
Barbara Nelson Steering Committee Members
Kim Underwood, Austin Park & Rec Tami Yokiel, Mayo Clinic Health System Nancy Schnable, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau Jeff Baldus, Austin Area Foundation Jeannine Nelson, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Janet Anderson, Austin City Council Mike Delhanty, Austin Daily Herald Carl Vagle, Austin Bruins Becky Earl, Primrose Toren Bires, Hormel Foods, Plunging for Pink Jeremy Olson, Hoot & Oles Judy Enright, Hoot & Oles
Darci Buchan and Kelly Joseph
Staff
Susan Ryks
Kathi Finley, PTTP Director Gail Dennison, The Hormel Institute Michelle Phillips, The Hormel Institute Brenna Gerhart, The Hormel Institute
Cancer Research Ambassadors 2017: Debbie Retterath 2016: Darci Buchan and Kelly Joseph 2015 : Susan Ryks 2014: Barbara Nelson 2013: Stephanie Blazer 2012: Michele Fimon 2011: Renee Anderson
Michele Fimon
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - PAINT THE TOWN PINK