Event information
The annual Quality of Life Cancer Fund dinner is generally held on the second Monday of July. QOL has raised and distributed more than 1.5 million dollars in assistance to families in the Roaring Fork Valley struggling with a cancer diagnosis. More than 400 families have been recipients of QOL for medical insurance, housing and travel expenses during treatment, meals, home care, physical an psychological family support services, and unfortunately, even funerals. These are basic operating costs not covered by insurance. This year, Barbara, herself a survivor, and I have committed to increasing each family grant to exceed $3,500 in emergency assistance funds.
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This list of needs for these families who are less fortunate is heartbreakingly long. Their courageous battle with this devastating illness is inspiring. We receive letters weekly thanking QOL for providing such assistance, as in the family who was bale to keep their car after the wife was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. To quote a former recipient, "We can't thank both of you enough for your big hears and your generous efforts to the Quality of Life Fund. Thanks to you, we've been able to buy our car. We thank God every day that there are people like you who are so willing to help people like us, and that allows me to focus on getting well."
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Our unique mission, coupled with the sponsorship gifts of our supporters, has turned our fundraising dinners into a preeminent event on the Aspen summer calendar. We have carved out special opportunities that allow visibility and recognition for your upfront support. Sponsors will be listed on all printed materials, the formal invitation and recognized in Barbara's opening remarks.
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The assistance provided to families living in our Roaring Fork Valley (from Aspen to Rifle), should give us all comfort knowing that each of us are doing our part to help our neighbors in this time of great stress and illness.
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The dinner is held in our garden and promises to be an elegant and meaningful evening. Our son, Seth, and I, will prepare a gourmet dinner. The students of The Aspen Opera Theater Company, generously donated by director Alan Fletcher, will perform. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Elaine Mardis, PhD, one of the world's leading experts in HUMAN GENOMICS and in gaining information from you DNA. The evening will be moderated by Dr. Richard Klausner, former director of the National Cancer Institute, and former Executive Director for Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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We thank you in advance for your kindness and support of the Quality of Life Cancer Fund. Please see the attending materials below and send your gift made payable to the Aspen Community Foundation.
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Many thanks for your consideration.
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Bruce and Barbara Berger