More than $54,000 raised
and distributed to families
coping with cancer
since 2012



          
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We have two recipients this year—Sara Dawson (pictured below, on the right) and Betsy Valentine (pictured below, on the left), both of Kalamazoo.

Dawson, 47, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer last year and is undergoing immunotherapy treatment at Bronson Hospital. She said she will use money from donations to continue with the cost of her treatment.

"We are greatly appreciative of being selected," she said. "Our motto is to keep on keeping on."

Dawson and her husband Frank have a history with the local Irish community. The two met at one of the first Kalamazoo Irish Fests in the early 2000s, and together they have an 11-year-old son, Josiah.

Valentine, 73, was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving with with squamous cell lung cancer in her right lower lung, and she also received treatment at Bronson. She said treatment has left money pretty tight and that donations will help.

"It will help me ease my burden," she said. "It will help me relax and not worry about money."

Valentine said she has a daughter who has been helping her with care here in Kalamazoo.

Both Dawson and Valentine said they plan on being in attendance at the Hooley.


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