The organizers of the 7th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser are once again overwhelmed with the support received from the community of Weyburn and surrounding area.
The event, held on May 1 at McKenna Hall had approximately 250 people in attendance to be entertained by Tenille Arts and Codie Prevost.
Mike and Cara Weger have organized this event for the past seven years following their daughter Teresa's Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis when she was two and a half years old.
This year, the proud parents were happy to watch Teresa help co-emcee the event with Derek Meyers from Regina Global TV.
The Wegers are very thankful to all of the individuals and businesses that reserved tables, the Weyburn Kin Club for working the bar and donating $1,520.00, and they send a special thank you to everyone that supported the event through the silent, sealed bid and live auction.
This year, the Wegers were also especially touched by a donation brought forward by a local company, Precision Ag. At the annual Precision Ag hockey draft, a jersey auction was organized and donations were accepted and the total raised was approximately $8,900.00. Precision Ag topped up the donation to an even $10,000.00 and presented to Teresa Weger by Jay Gerry on the night of the fundraiser.
After calculating the amounts received from donations and ticket sales and upon payment of the expenses, the 7th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser raised $47,571.62. When asked if the event will go on again next year, Mike Weger stated that, “It is a lot of work for my wife and I, but when you see results like this, it will be hard for us to not to do the event again next year. Honestly, I wish we didn't have to do the event, but until there is a cure or control for Cystic Fibrosis, my wife and I will keep doing everything we can to fundraise.”
A second fundraiser was held at the Cugnet Centre on May 14. The event, titled “So You Think You Can Dance Weyburn”, featured local amateur dancers showcasing their solos and duets.
Tenille Arts, who was a guest judge, took the stage as well to provide entertainment. Arts, who has used her talented singing voice to increase awareness about Cystic Fibrosis is currently one of the top eight performers competing in the "Boots and Hearts" Showcase Competition.
Fans of Tenille are encouraged to vote daily online at http://bootsandhearts.com/ showcase/. The grand prize includes performing on the main stage at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival held in Ontario this summer.
This is an amazing opportunity to a well-deserving emerging artist who has given greatly to the Cystic Fibrosis fundraisers on a local level.
Total numbers are not tallied as of yet from the “So You Think You Can Dance Weyburn” fundraiser.
Total monies from both fundraisers will be presented to Cystic Fibrosis Canada through the Carstars Great Strides Walk that the Wegers will attend. The walk hosts thousands of participants across Canada at local sites within their communities.
Walkers raise funds for vital cystic fibrosis research, care and advocacy initiatives funded by Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The walk is being held in Saskatchewan on May 31 in several locations such as Swift Current, Estevan, Regina, Carnduff and Saskatoon.
For any more information regarding the walks, other fundraising events or Cystic Firbrosis, visit the website online at www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
