Fun night of wine, jazz and fundraising for Cancer Care

The community is invited to the 15th annual Winter Wine & All That Jazz, 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Carson Nugget.

This evening features wines poured by nearly 20 California wineries, appetizers furnished by the Nugget and dancing to the music of Russ Lindquist's Sierra Swing Big Band, all to help provide funding for Carson Advocates for Cancer Care, a non-profit whose mission is "to help the uninsured and under insured people of Northern Nevada and adjacent areas of California who come to Carson City for cancer treatment," explained Patrick Williams, CACC president.

CACC helped 78 clients in 2009, providing nearly $49,000 in assistance, covering such things as doctor costs, imaging work, cancer treatment and pharmaceutical expenses.

"Most of our clients come from Douglas, Lyon and Carson counties, but we see people from as far south as Bishop," Williams explained.

CACC is an all-volunteer organization, with 92 percent of all money received going directly to patient care.

"It is our local community, giving local dollars, that stay local," said Ann Proffitt, Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center director, one of CACC's founding members and herself a cancer survivor.

"Winter Wine & All That Jazz is one of several fundraising events that help fund the Advocates," she said. "There will be both a silent auction and live auction and people just have a lot of fun."

With the difficult economy and greater competition for grant funding, Proffitt said this year community support of CACC, which has always been important, is even more so.

"We're trying to make up the difference in funding cuts with donations and any donation is welcomed," she said. "Pennies count."

Carson Advocates for Cancer Care has become a model nationally for others wanting to start a similar program and has also inspired local communities to be proactive. Fundraising efforts have grown in Yerington and Bishop, where monies raised there are then allocated to CACC for patients from those communities.

In addition to other events, including Leather & Lace MC's benefit poker run and Bowman Creek's archery contest, the Nevada Department of Corrections' Walk-a-thon and others, CACC also receives funds from Cared for Seconds, its thrift store located at 1801 Hwy. 50 in Carson City. They desperately need volunteers to help plan events and staff Cared for Seconds more consistently.

"Volunteers are desperately needed to help with all that we do," said Mary Vancura, who among other things, runs the store. "Even if someone only has two or four hours a week to give, their time and energy would be a huge help."

Tickets for Winter Wine & All That Jazz cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door, available in advance at Mike's Pharmacy, 1007 N. Curry St.; Cancer Resource Center, 1600 Medical Parkway or at Cared For Seconds. You can also call 775-883-7477 or e-mail carsonadvocates@att.net to reserve tickets and pick them up at the door.

Items for the silent and live auctions will be accepted at Cared for Seconds or the Resource Center until 4 p.m. Friday. Cash donations can be made year around by sending checks payable to CACC, P.O. Box 3127, Carson City, NV 89702. Donors will receive a thank you note and tax id number.