Henniker, NH – New Hampshire’s Pats Peak ski area is hosting its 16th Annual Childhood Cancer Lifeline fundraiser weekend on February 20 and 21.This is a great opportunity to enjoy skiing and riding while supporting local families who have a child with cancer.
Skiers and snowboarders will be able to make a donation to the cause while they are at Pats Peak. There will also be raffles, Childhood Cancer Awareness Pins along with tickets for the Sunday evening event available for purchase during the weekend.
On Saturday, the live band, Thr33, will be playing in the Sled Pub at Pats Peak from 4 to 9 p.m.On Saturday and Sunday there will be a Childhood Cancer Lifeline Benefit Raffle taking place in the Sled Pub.
Guests can be an extension of the “lifeline” by supporting the annual fundraising event starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday evening’s events include raffles, a live and silent auction and dinner by Pats Peak’s Executive Chef, Guy Pelletier. The Live and Silent Auction includes items for everyone, from gift certificates and gift baskets, to artwork from local artists and sporting event tickets. Tickets purchased on or before February 19th are $25 per person or $40 per couple. Tickets purchased the weekend of the event are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Tickets may be purchased at PATS PEAK Guest Services, by calling (603) 428-3245, throughout the event weekend in the Main Lodge or at the door of the event. This event continues to be the most successful fundraising event for the Childhood Cancer Lifeline of New Hampshire.
Each year in New Hampshire as many as 73 families hear the words, “Your child has cancer.” For them, life is never the same. The emotional and financial impact of a cancer diagnosis upon a family is devastating. In addition to social and support opportunities held throughout the year, the Childhood Cancer Lifeline provides direct financial assistance and comfort items to families, from the point of diagnosis, through the journey with cancer. To date, the Childhood Cancer Lifeline has provided in excess of $675,000 in direct assistance to families, who either live in, or their child receives care in, the state of New Hampshire.
Through the Links! Program, the Childhood Cancer Lifeline provides laptops to each newly diagnosed school-aged child. These laptops provide a much needed connection to the world beyond the confines of the hospital. A recent recipient eloquently stated the value of this program; “Lifeline, this laptop hasn’t just improved my life, it changed my whole world.”
The Lifeline’s newest program, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, awarded $54,000 in its first two years. “Through our programs, we are able to provide vital assistance to families when their child is in treatment. The scholarship program allows us to celebrate and support young adult survivors as they move into college,” says Childhood Cancer Lifeline of NH Board President, Sylvia Pelletier. “We couldn’t address the urgent needs of families without the ongoing support of the local community. Giving a family a gas card so they can travel to treatment, paying for a car repair, funding a parent’s meal when they are in the hospital, none of this is would be possible without such a generous, caring community. We are so touched that so many continue to support our organization, to reach out to truly ‘be a lifeline’ to families in need.”
The Childhood Cancer Lifeline of New Hampshire has a special relationship with Pats Peak. Chef Guy Pelletier, who joined Pats Peak in May of 2000, has two children who are cancer survivors. Guy’s wife Sylvia is a founding member and current President of the organization. The Lifeline continues to be the only organization dedicated to empowering New Hampshire families whose children have cancer by providing them with financial assistance, resources, and most importantly — hope.