The WMC Cancer Care Foundation was created in 2005 because Janet Buness, the hospital’s director of nursing, realized a cancer diagnosis often comes with expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.

For a person navigating treatments, schedules and paperwork, having help to cover those expenses truly makes a difference. Buness became founder, touchstone and motivator for the foundation to help with those costs. It’s celebrating its 20th anniversary at this year’s Rally 4 Cancer Fun and Frolic golf tournament at Muskeg Meadows on Saturday morning, Aug. 16.

Buness, who died last year, was always trying to think up ways to raise money for the foundation, board member Patty Gilbert said. “We’ve sold chocolates for Valentine’s Day, raffled quilts and held used book sales across the years.” 

The golf tournament, currently the foundation’s only scheduled fundraiser, used to follow a traditional format, with an accompanying dinner. It has evolved over the years to become far more casual and is packed with playfulness and purpose.

“There’s very little to suggest golf is involved,” Gilbert laughed. There are games and challenges at each hole: The approach may include going through croquet hoops, hitting the ball with your foot in a bucket, or using a whiffle ball.

“You actually do better if you don’t know how to play golf,” Chris Ellis, another board member, said.

There are a variety of non-golf games along the course, including a putting contest, unicorn bowling and Plinko. There’s the lucky ball contest: Before the course opens, 100 numbered balls are scattered throughout the course, and golfers hunt for them Easter-egg style. At the end, a number is drawn, and whoever has found the ball with the corresponding number wins.

SEARHC will set up a tent on the ninth hole with additional games, as well as an information and resource table.

A contingent of participants from Petersburg will come across by boat, teeing up the friendly rivalry between communities while supporting the cause.

The early word this year is there may be as many as 40 golfers coming to town, with the suggestion they might outnumber Wrangell participants. The Wrangell response? “No way!” Gilbert adds, “The fun and fellowship with Petersburg is priceless.”

In addition to the day of golf, Petersburg holds a fun run in October and contributes all of the proceeds to the foundation. 

The underlying purpose of this weekend’s fundraiser is to help spread the word that help is available for the kinds of expenses that insurance doesn’t cover related to travel outside the community for cancer care.

These requests may include airfare to get to a treatment center, lodging or rental cars, shuttles or taxis.

Individuals may request up to $1,200 in assistance each year. The program is open to residents of Southeast communities with populations of 5,000 or less.

Foundation board treasurer Olinda White reports that in the past 20 years, there have been 223 applications and $188,642 distributed. In addition, a scholarship program was established to support students going into health care fields. To date, 24 scholarships totaling $15,500 have been awarded.

Registration for the frolic runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m. There will be a time of prayer, a dedication memorial for Buness, and recognition of cancer survivors. Ellis has crafted felt flowers to give them.  “Each flower is different, because each person and their story is unique,” she said. 

Then gofers will hit the links at 10 a.m. for the nine-hole contest, which generally wraps up by 2 p.m. 

Registration is $35 for the day, including lunch. A lunch-only ticket is $20.

The lunch, catered by SEARHC will feature pulled pork sandwiches and salads, with desserts from Sweet Tides and support from Wrangell IGA and City Market. It will be served around 1 p.m. as players filter in from the golf course.

There will also be a number of items offered in a silent auction. Baseball caps and pins will be for sale, with a new logo designed by Mary Walden. A $5 sticker will be valid for discounts at participating area businesses for the day.

For more information about the event or to learn how to apply for cancer care travel assistance, contact Gilbert at 907-305-0777 (phone or text) or Ellis at 907-470-4569 (phone or text).