2016 Auction Items

by Core Committee | Jun 9, 2016 | News

Here’s is just some of items for the Live Auction on June 10

2016 Cancer Walk Sponsors

by Core Committee | Jun 3, 2016 | News

We can’t thank our sponsors of the 2016 Cancer Walk enough. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Torchbearer

Avera Medical Group Milbank/Big Stone Therapies
Grant County Review
Linda’s Fashions
Poet Biorefining
Popper’s/Betty’s Fireworks/Roger & Irene McCulloch
Thrivent Financial
Twin Valley Tire
Valley Office Products

Illuminator

Bien Pharmacy
Dakota Granite
First Bank and Trust
Food & Fuel
Lewis
Montage
Northside Medical Center
Stengel Oil
Valley Dairy Supply
Valley Rental & Recycling
Wells Fargo
Whetstone Storage
Milbank Eye Care
NorthWestern Energy

Heartwarmer

Bierschbach Dental
Cold Spring Granite
Conroy Eye Care
Flower Shoppe
Gesswein Motors
Hicks Construction
Insurance Solutions Plus
Jamey Jurgens
Johnson Dental
Midwest Powersports Inc.
Mundwiler Funeral Home
Otter Tail Power Co.
Schuneman Equipment
State Auto
State Farm
Victory Farms
Wilbur Ellis
Window World

Trailblazer

Boos Law Office
T&T Heating & A/C
Brewster Building Center
Chiropractic In Motion
Healthfirst Chiropractic
Hunt Chiropractic
ITC
Milbank House Movers
Trapp Plumbing Co.
Whetstone Valley Electric
Shopko
Subway

Cancer Walk to Donate $40,000 towards 3D Mammography Machine

by Core Committee | Jun 2, 2016 | News

Cancer Walk to Donate $40,000 towards 3D Mammography Machine
Milbank, SD – June 2, 2016

It Only Takes A Spark has donated $40,000 to Northeast South Dakota Healthcare Foundation towards the purchase of the new 3D mammography machine the Milbank Area Hospital Avera recently acquired. The core committee met with teams about plans back in March after hospital administrator, Natalie Gauer, discussed some of the new equipment needs at the hospital. “With the teams doing a majority of the fund raising efforts, we wanted their input to what the board was considering” stated Matt Scott, Core Committee member. “The best way for patients to have a greater chance of being a cancer survivor is with early detection” Matt continued. “Knowing we can have some of the latest technology in our community is a great step forward in fighting breast cancer. With early detection, it should considerably help a better prognosis and treatment plans for patients.” Gauer stated “We are striving to be a leader in women’s health in our area and offer state-of-the-art technology. We are grateful to receive this donation as it makes a considerable difference as we work to positively affect the health of our community.  We thank those who were a part in raising this money and assure them this outstanding technology will affect many people in our area.”

Funds for such donations were earmarked over the past couple years by the core committee. Each year 20% of the funds raised are typically designated towards efforts with cancer-related equipment, services, or even cancer research. Most recently, a portion of those funds purchased the treatment chairs currently used at the hospital for patients receiving chemotherapy. We’ve also been supporting the local Cancer Support Group held at the Milbank Area Hospital Avera. “Knowing that we are assisting patients with cancer related expenses and enabling our healthcare services with state-of-the-art technology is a move we all can appreciate,” Matt concluded.

Each year the It Only Takes A Spark group hosts an annual Cancer Walk in Milbank to raise funds for cancer diagnosed patients of Grant County, South Dakota. A minimum of 70% of those funds goes to cancer diagnosed patients by reimbursing those expenses, supplying gas cards, etc. through an annual application process. The remaining 10% or up to $10,000 goes towards operating expenses.

The Core Committee includes Angie Johnson, Amanda Cummins, Matt Scott, Ann Tuchscherer, and Aaron Anderson. The group is very busy gearing up with our next walk on June 10 as eleven teams and the core committee host our 19^th Annual It Only Takes A Spark Cancer Walk. It’s also never too late about starting a new team for 2017. If anyone is interested, they are encouraged to contact us. Those interested in applying for funds or are looking for more information about It Only Takes A Spark should check out our website at https://takesaspark.org and following us on our Facebook page.

– It Only Takes A Spark Core Committee

• 2016 Timeline for June 10

Great Giveaway 2016

by Core Committee | Apr 10, 2016 | News

A great time was had at the 5th Annual Great Giveaway hosted by the Cancer Walk core committee. The night started with a social hour and then a meal at the Speedway Event Center in Milbank. Congrats to all the winners and our thanks to those who purchased tickets for the event to raise over $5000 for the cancer walk. Sponsors who donated prizes were greatly appreciated and complete prize winners provided below.

Cash Winners – $1667 Each (they all decided to split when we got to the Top 3)

Left to Right: Amy VanLith, Dana Johnson, & Diane Cummins

Sponsors

Much thanks goes out to the area businesses that donated items towards our event! Your Donations Are Appreciated!!!!

• Tranquil Touch Massage
• Healthy Kneads Massage
• Speedway
• Milbank Chamber of Commerce
• Kampen’s Photography
• First Bank & Trust
• Shady Beach Grill House & Pasta
• Porter Distributing Company
• Valley Liquor
• Valley Queen Cheese Factory
• Golf Addiction Sioux Falls/Fargo
• Thrivent Financial
• KMSD Radio
• Shape Wrap & Roll
• Lantern Inn
• Pat Raffety
• Amy VanLith
• Farrell Auction

Complete List of Winners

Donation to Milbank Avera Cancer Support Group

by Core Committee | Mar 2, 2016 | News

It Only Takes A Spark recently donated $2500 to the Milbank Avera Cancer Support Group to continue their efforts in educating and supporting those individuals and families affected by cancer.
We thank those with the Milbank Avera Cancer Support group coordinators Corrine McCulloch (left) and Bridget Johnson (right) for all they do with this!