Many fundraisers are designed to funnel through a certain organization, in most cases, a national or regional organization. However, there are several local initiatives that generate income to fund services, education and assistance for cancer patients, survivors and the general public — and every dollar raised stays local.

Beaufort County, a Tier 1 county, has little money to work with, at least a significant amount less than areas like Wake or Mecklenburg counties. With initiatives like Shepard Cancer Foundation’s annual Tee It Up for a Cure, consisting of a golf tournament, Hope and Heroes Walk and the creation and sale of purple bows, a tremendous amount of money is raised to benefit patients served at the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center.

In turn, a great deal of community awareness is raised through the sale of the bows — purple, sold to residents and pink and purple, sold to local businesses and organizations. Last year, the fundraiser generated just over $69,000, and this year, the total equaled somewhere around $75,000, both of which were significant donations, a result of the community coming together in an effort to fight back against cancer.

Other fundraisers include Darleen’s Flamingo 5K Run, a charity run in memory of a Smithton woman, who lost her battle with cancer with 2010, and Paint the Town Pink, a day during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The charity run raised about $17,000, and the sale of commemorative Paint the Town Pink T-shirts brought in $10,500 last year, adding to the overall annual total the cancer center receives — money that stays local and benefits locals.

The three initiatives alone equal over $100,000 that is donated to the foundation annually.

If not for the outreach, awareness and money generated by these local events, the center would not be able to offer its monthly educational programs, therapies and other services for its patients, caregivers and survivors. The masses of volunteers and overall community response for the events makes it all possible — and every dollar raised remains in the local area.