The ladies of Washington are at it again — diligently making and selling purple bows to benefit the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center.

In 2013, a group of Cypress Landing residents came up with a game plan to sell the bows and keep all of the money local. Now, in its fourth year, the initiative has spread throughout Washington, raising more than $27,000 last year.

The purple bows are on sale again, and about $11,000 has been raised so far.

Page Wright, of Blythe House, donated all of the wire and ribbon, and Grace Gandt heads up the bow-making process. Each bow costs $15, and special bows for businesses, featuring accents of pink, cost $25.

Gandt said she is lucky to have never had cancer, but it is her friends and loved ones that motivate her.

“To me, it’s payback,” she said. “The money stays here — that’s the highlight.”

Nancy Hackett, a Cypress Landing resident and co-chair of the fundraiser, said the proceeds will also go toward helping patients handle the financial burdens of cancer treatment.

“You’ve got people that have cancer, and they’re dealing with that, and they don’t have money (for treatments),” Hackett said.

She said it’s also good to see people reach into their pockets to give, even if it’s just a small amount.

Gandt said the fundraiser’s door-to-door system is helpful, as people are more receptive to donating to those in their own community.

Committee member Brenda Evans recalled how one Washington resident saved his bow from last year, and declining to buy another, offered to donate $15 anyway.

“People are more apt to give if somebody is willing to come to their door,” Gandt said. “One-on-one always works.”

Bow sales will continue into mid-September, up until the “Tee It Up for a Cure” golf tournament, also benefitting the cancer center. The Hope and Heroes Walk is coming up in September, as well.

Purple bow sales are mostly door-to-door, but there are some locations in Washington where the bows are on sale, Evans said.

Some of the locations include: Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Century 21 (downtown Washington) and Washington Yacht & Country Club’s Pro Shop.

For more information, call Pam Shadle, director of marketing and public relations at Vidant Beaufort, at 252-975-4134.