Springfield -- CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for pediatric oncology, held a Catie’s Gathering dinner and auction in Springfield.
Catie’s Gathering is an annual, inspiring event benefiting Catie’s Fund of CURE Childhood Cancer. The dinner featured individually themed table decorations, a silent auction, a live auction, and several speakers. Performances by the Junkyard Angels and the CC Witt Duo began the evening, and Melodie Wall, a native of Effingham County and mother of a cancer survivor, provided remarks. This is the 13th Catie’s Gathering in Effingham County, and raised $386,741 in 2023. Since its creation, Catie’s Gatherings have grown to five separate events in South Georgia and has raised $3 million.
"The beauty of Catie's Gathering is the powerful bonds it builds," said Mandy Garola, vice president of CURE in South Georgia. "We love joining together year after year to raise awareness and funds with those who share the same passion for fighting childhood cancer. We are truly grateful to our volunteers, hostesses, donors and sponsors who make Catie's Gathering possible.”
The funds raised are invested in CURE’s research initiatives – specifically the Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup. The funds also offer general support to patients and their families fighting childhood cancer.
Springfield Elementary School was the title sponsor of Catie's Gathering Effingham. Hero sponsors included South Effingham Elementary and The McGraley Co. Champion Sponsors included Sand Hill Elementary, 360 Industrial, Bank of Newington, Chick-fil-A Rincon, Harco Construction, Sherman & Hemstreet, South Effingham Middle, Tina Dasher, Ebenezer Elementary School and Effingham County High School.
CURE Childhood Cancer is working for a cure by funding research exclusively for childhood cancer and supporting families affected by the disease. Childhood cancers differ from adult cancers in how they grow and spread, how they are treated, and how they respond to treatment. More than 17,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every year, and incidence rates are increasing yearly. Despite cancer being the leading cause of death by disease in children, only six cancer drugs have been developed and approved specifically for children in the past 25 years.
