Valley fights cystic fibrosis and leukemia with dollars
October 14, 2009
By Laura Geggel
Thanks to the support of Snoqualmie Valley residents, Natalie Smith and Kaitie Gallagher got big hugs Sept. 26.
Natalie Smith, a 10-year-old who has leukemia served as the impetus for a fundraiser at Finaghty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. Smith’s mother, Dene James, wanted to support Seattle Children’s Hospital, the medical center treating her daughter, so she founded the Friends for Life Children’s Hospital Guild in 2006.
About 125 people participated in the Snoqualmie Valley Great Strides Walk at Centennial Fields. Contributed
Now, the guild hosts an annual auction and glass-ornament fundraiser.
In 2008, the Finaghty’s event grossed $4,000. In 2009, the guild set its goal at $10,000.
But the guild didn’t raise 10 grand, or even 15. In 2009, they hit a home run, grossing more than $16,000 and netting more than $12,000.
“It was a big success,” Friends for Life vice president Lori Salow Marshall said. “We sold a ton of ornaments.”
The group’s proceeds benefit pediatric oncology research, clinical research programs in leukemia and stem cell transplantation at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The guild is looking for new members as well as corporate sponsors.
In honor of their 12-year-old daughter Kaitie, the Gallaghers joined the cystic fibrosis Snoqualmie Valley Great Strides Walk. Their team, Kaitie’s Kingdom aimed for the $10,000 mark, but raised $8,000 instead. Though they didn’t reach their goal, the Gallaghers are thankful for the support of their friends and family and invited more people to make donations.
About 125 people walked on 20 teams for the Great Strides walk around Centennial Fields. The entire event raised $33,600, “not what we’d hoped for, but still a great amount considering the state of the economy,” Kaitie’s mother Cathy said. “It was a beautiful day for the walk, a nice crisp fall day.”
Both groups thanked their donors and invited more to come out to their next fundraiser.
“It’s kind of a loyal following of people who have been really generous,” Salow Marshall said. “We want to extend that following.”
Laura Geggel: 392-6434 ext. 221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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