People are banding together for what is considered one of the biggest local fundraisers for cancer research, and while some do their part by monetary donations, other local residents are pitching in other ways.

The Shepard Cancer Foundation has launched Tee It Up For a Cure, encompassing the annual Hope and Heroes Walk on Sept. 10 and the Tee It Up For a Cure golf tournament on Sept. 12. But one element already happening is the sale of decorative bows that garnered $18,000 of the initiative’s $70,000 raised last year.

Currently happening throughout the county are bow-making parties, small gatherings of mostly women who spend thousands of volunteer hours making bows. Cases of rolls of purple ribbon, donated by Deborah Page Wright of the Blythe House, have been given out to make the fundraising bows. Businesses are also encouraged to join the initiative by purchasing specially made pink and purple ribbons meant for display on their storefronts and offices.

“Every year, we get more and more people involved,” said Grace Gandt, volunteer bow-maker. “It takes a village to make everything work. The ladies from all over are just so excited. Their enthusiasm is just unbelievable, and it’s unbelievable how much time they give. It’s a big team that seems to work very well.”

Wright enabled the initiative to boast total profit last year through her donation, and did so due to a vested interest in cancer research from the loss of a loved one, she said.

“I’m fascinated with the fact of the just simple ribbon can generate this revenue, but also what it represents to people,” Wright said. “Because everybody somewhere, at some time, someone in the family is affected with (cancer) so everybody does really connect symbolically, and I think it’s great. And I’m proud to know that I’m in a position to contribute (the ribbon). And I think it’s great that we have (Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center) in Beaufort County. It’s incredible.”

Cypress Landing, Washington, Bath and many more communities have joined in the initiative, thus far using eight cases of ribbon, equivalent to just short of 1,500 bows that are for sale. St. Thomas Episcopal Church made it a church outreach project and has raised $5,300 so far, solely through the sale of bows, according to church member Annie Griffin.

Though many view the topic of cancer as morbid, the enthusiasm of the bow-making groups through their volunteerism, as well as participants of the walk and golf tournament, is a nod to what cancer is today. Bob McLaurin, Shepard Cancer Center radiation oncology doctor, said when he entered his field 30 years ago, the cure rate for cancer was one in every three patients, nationally. Today the cure rate is three out of every four patients nationally, due to new technologies, treatments and therapies.

McLaurin said the eastern North Carolina region is somewhat different, with higher volumes of patients that come in with stage 3 and stage 4 cancers, whether it’s from a lack of participation in medical screenings and education or fear of going through cancer treatments, among other reasons. As a result, Vidant Health has identified the regional problem and is pulling a lot of resources to its facilities to make an impact on cancer, McLaurin said.

“It was morbid (30 years ago),” McLaurin said. “A lot of patients didn’t get cured, and a lot suffered. Today, the cure rate is three out of four so the vast majority of patients that get diagnosed get cured and go on to live a normal life. With most patients, we’ve converted this from a death sentence to sort of a chronic illness. That’s a huge chasm between used to and now.”

The money raised for the Foundation has facilitated the existence of programs, treatments, research and assistance for cancer and those affected by it, according to social oncology worker Kristi Fearrington. The funds generated through the annual set of events benefit the center’s patients, and every penny stays local. Among the things the money is used for are education and complimentary programs, assistance with medicines, transportation to and from appointments, lymphedema garments like wigs and prosthetics and much more, Fearrington said.

The sale of bows to residents will continue until the September event and starting Wednesday, business bows will be sold for the fundraiser, Gandt said.

“(The initiative) is unbelieveable,” Gandt said. “Regardless of their skill level, everyone is chipping in — some try to do bows, some get involved by selling bows and other ways. It’s very rewarding. Everyone wants to help in some way, so we try to find some way for everyone to get involved and be helpful. I feel very blessed to live in a community of people that way to pay back and give so much to help.”

To form a team in your community to make or sell bows or for more information about getting involved or donating, call Marilyn Bram at 252-946-8559 or Pam Shadle at 252-975-4134.