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NANTICOKE — Hundreds came out to Quality Hill Park Saturday to raise money and have some fun at the 7th annual Puck Cancer Festival.
Founded by Lauren and Shawn Myers, Puck Cancer NEPA is a local nonprofit whose mission is to raise money for the Prescription Fund at Medical Oncology Associates of Kingston.
Headed by Dr. David Greenwald and Dr. Bruce Saidman, the goal of the fund is to help ease some of the many financial burdens cancer patients face while receiving treatment, Lauren explained.
“It helps their patients with copays, medication, transportation, utilities, bills, groceries, things like that,” she said.
The husband-and-wife team created the nonprofit after Shawn’s mother passed from cancer in 2011. Puck Cancer NEPA has steadily grown, raising over $45,000 to date.
“Last year we ended up donating $20,000, so we are hoping and praying to of course go over that, and it’s very possible,” Lauren said. “We’re looking forward to a really, really big crowd.”
Attendees didn’t seem to mind the heat as they enjoyed food, watched live entertainment, played games and more.
Getting ready to take her chance at some of the raffles, Wyoming resident Lisa Yurek said she was excited to see what the event had to offer this year.
“My mother herself has cancer, so I think it’s a very good cause,” she said. “I brought her with me and we come every year. It’s a great event.”
On the other side of the park several teams were taking turns during a hockey tournament. From the cheeky, pun-filled name to a working relationship with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the sport plays a major role in several of the nonprofit’s events while sharing Shawn’s love for hockey.
Hockey fans can expect to see some new events on the roster, too.
“Next year in 2020 we’re actually looking to do our next arena takeover,” Shawn said of the special games, limited-edition jerseys and more. “We’re also looking to do some ice tournaments and things of that sort to branch out more.”
A first-time attendee of the event, Scott Arellano talked about the importance of the treatment center and Puck Cancer.
“I lost my wife to cancer back in 2014,” he said while praising both the treatment center and nonprofit. “They actually helped us out a lot.”
Enjoying his time in the sun, Jeff Thomas hopes more cancer patients and survivors will attend event such as the Puck Cancer Festival.
The Dallas resident has been battling the disease sine 2011, and is a patient at the Kingston treatment center. Looking around the crowd, he said it’s both gratifying and inspiring to see the support of the community.
“I encourage other survivors to go out and get involved in this kind of thing. It does make the journey less lonely,” he explained.
Visit Puck Cancer NEPA on Facebook to learn more about the organization and see upcoming events.
