Featured Fundraisers
Our fundraisers are passionate about fighting cancer and they do it by raising money for cancer research that can lead to new treatment options. These incredible individuals bring their family, friends and co-workers together for fun events and activities that unite and inspire people. Read about our champions.
Cancer Survivor's Golf for Gateway Raises Record $53,000
In just their second year of hosting an event to benefit The Gateway for Cancer Research, The Committee to Support Cancer Research raised more than $53,000, far exceeding their previous event's total. The committee, formed specifically to raise money to support Gateway's cancer research, was founded by Rose Murphy, a stage III pancreatic cancer survivor.
Rose is a registered nurse and has spent her entire career caring for others. Now a ten-year survivor, Rose felt that she was still here for a reason and decided to do something to help make a difference. She researched cancer charities looking for one that gave the most money to its cause and selected The Gateway. She then formed her committee and held her first golf fundraiser.
More than 240 community members, family, friends and vendors attended this year's Golf for Gateway, held at a country club in Naples, Florida. The event included a golf tournament with prizes and an after party that featured live and silent auctions.
Modest in her role as event organizer, Rose credits her success to the tremendous commitment, and support from her more than 40 volunteers. Rose remains passionate about the mission of finding a cure for cancer and plans to take the event up a notch next year, expanding it to include more Naples residents.
Time for a Cure
Spare Time 4 A Cure, organized by Tim O'Conor, Jim Arnoux and Dan O'Conor, is an annual tribute 
to family and friends living with cancer and loved ones lost to the disease. Now in its 16th year, the event-one of The Gateway's largest independent fundraisers-included a bowling competition and a raffle, and raised nearly $9,000. Spare Time 4 A Cure was attended by 250 dedicated friends, colleagues, schoolmates and family members. It is a great example of what can be accomplished by people who want to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Karen - Community Fundraiser
Karen was diagnosed with stage IIb breast cancer just two months before her wedding. She enjoyed her wedding on a beach in California and then began her chemotherapy. Quickly though, Karen decided to take more action than just treatment.
She found The Gateway for Cancer Research, where 99¢ of every dollar donated goes to cancer research. Karen set her sights on raising money for life-saving research. In the midst of chemotherapy, Karen began planning her first fundraiser, the Belvidere Historic Homes Fun Run/Walk, to benefit the Walter Payton Cancer Fund-a fund of The Gateway.
The Fun Run begins at Karen's own historic home and winds past many other historic homes in Belvidere. The event culminates with an after-party at Karen's place. Karen has garnered support from a wide array of businesses and individuals in the community. The event has been a resounding success, raising money more than $17,000 over two years and building awareness about our organization.
Karen and her husband Pete are thrilled with how the event has grown and have developed a following. They're already beginning to plan for the next Fun Run. Most importantly, Karen has been cancer free for a year.
