Cops 4 Cancer to celebrate 20 years with 2-day bash

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Cops 4 Cancer was hoping to be out of business by now – members are eager for science to find a cure – but nonetheless has much to celebrate.

The organization marks 20 years assisting families grappling with cancer – 714 families and counting – and members decided to mark the milestone with a two-day fundraiser bash Friday evening and Saturday in Cedar Point.

Cops 4 Cancer grew from a private fundraiser held by Terry Guisti and Nick Smudzinski at Guisti’s home in 2003; each had a parent who died of cancer. The effort officially became a not-for-profit seven years later after they joined forces with Betty Glynn, an advocate for breast cancer patients. Together, they thought they could do more to help families reeling from a common foe.

“It feels great,” Guisti said of celebrating two decades of service to the sick and to their families. “None of us would have thought we’d go from raising $20,000 to a running total of $2 million. It’s crazy.

“And most of that is because of the local businesses and the people who help,” he said, “otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Cops 4 Cancer hope to draw many

Adam Conness, longtime volunteer

participants this weekend because the need for support is, sadly, undiminished. Also, corporate donors have restructured how they donate, with the result that Cops 4 Cancer is more dependent than ever on individual donors.

Tickets are $20 and include live entertainment 5-10 p.m. Friday and 1-11 p.m. Saturday at Cerri Memorial Park. A food truck will be available for purchases Friday. Saturday’s celebration is from 1-11 p.m. and includes food and soft drinks plus a beer garden, raffles and 50/50 drawing.

(A continuous loop shuttle will be offered to ferry people from Cedar Point to Peru taverns including Edge’s Tap, Bridgetender’s Pub, Riverfront Bar & Grill and Elle’s Tap.)

Tickets may be purchased at Rudy’s Liquors or at the event.

See COPS 4 CANCER on page 14