In an effort to bring awareness to cancer prevention and celebrate survivors during National Cancer Survivors Month, Munson Healthcare and the Traverse City Pit Spitters are holding a “Spit on Cancer“ evening at the ballpark on Saturday, June 22. Game time is 7:05 pm at 333 Stadium Dr. in Traverse City. A custom t-shirt and ticket package is available for $30: Enter code SOC24 at checkout. For every t-shirt package sold a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Munson Healthcare Foundations Cancer Patient Needs Fund.
“June is National Cancer Survivor Month and early screening plays such a critical role in giving people the very best chance for a positive outcome,” said Kathy LaRaia, Vice President Oncology and Professional Services for Munson Healthcare. “We are grateful for this support and partnership with the Pit Spitters to not only celebrate survivors but raise awareness on the importance of cancer prevention.”
According to the American Cancer Society, 50 percent of men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Raising awareness around prevention and screenings can help those at risk. Forty-two percent of specific cancers can be prevented through a combination of proper screening and healthy lifestyle choices.
Munson Healthcare’s Cowell Family Cancer Center’s nurse navigators will be on hand to educate on the importance of early detection while additional activities are planned throughout the game to honor all stages of cancer survivors. Custom Spit on Cancer team jerseys will also be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Munson Healthcare Foundations Cancer Patient Needs Fund.
The average need is about $600 per patient with an annual funding need averaging around $20,000. Funds are raised through community and volunteer supported events, programs, and private donations. Rather than specific treatments, the Cancer Patient Needs Fund provides financial assistance for supportive care including, but not limited to, such things as transportation, childcare, and utilities during treatment, as well as prosthetics.
“The Pit Spitters are excited to partner with Munson Healthcare and the Cowell Family Cancer Center for our second annual Spit on Cancer Night,” said Sam Connell, Director of Sales & Promotions, Assistant General Manager. “Cancer is something that has impacted so many members in our community, and we hope that this night is able to raise hope for those who are fighting this disease.”
Tickets are available at Traverse City Pit Spitters Tickets.
A Custom t-shirt and ticket package is available for $30: Enter code SOC24 at checkout. For every t-shirt package sold a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Munson Healthcare Foundations Cancer Patient Needs Fund.
Visit munsonhealthcare.org/cancer to learn more about cancer screening and prevention.
About the Cancer Patient Needs Fund
Cancer often arrives without warning and can be devastating and disruptive to both patients and their families. Treatments often make a person too ill or too tired to work their regular hours. Even if a person has insurance to cover the treatments, the patient who cannot work does not have the money to pay routine monthly expenses. The Cancer Patient Needs Fund allows medical social workers and case management staff to assist cancer patients and their families during a cancer-related crisis. The fund provides financial assistance for such things as prosthetics, transportation, groceries, childcare, and utilities during treatment.