Despite so many competing events and causes, the Prince George community is showing strong support for this year's Evening in Pink.
According to event organizer Monica Peacock, this Saturday's event is shaping up to the be the best-attended in its history.
"It's definitely grown over time and grown in a delightful way," said Peacock, who started the event as a result of losing her foster daughter at the age of 34 to breast cancer. "It has a life of its own now."
As of yesterday, 520 tickets had been sold, beating the previous maximum of 505.
"People want to have a touch and feel and know they made a difference," Peacock said.
Peacock was inspired to create an event to raise awareness about breast cancer, to increase community involvement in the cause and to raise funds for equipment purchases at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. or upgrades to assist with the new Cancer Clinic.
While the event was inspired by breast cancer, which is the most-frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women, the money is designated to help treat all forms of cancer.
The seventh annual Evening in Pink will feature the traditional dinner and dance at the Civic Centre with all donations raised over the course of the night going to join the $60,000 raised over the previous two years to purchase camera and lights for operating room upgrades through the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
"Team work makes the dream work," Peacock said, a mantra she said is proven by looking around at the progress made in health care in the community.
This year's keynote speaker is Canadian journalist Libby Znaimer, a two-time cancer survivor. Znaimer was actually scheduled to come to Prince George for the 2008 Evening of Pink, but had to pull out after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
"She was a survivor, not a statistic," said Peacock, calling Znaimer a "dynamic and from the heart woman."
To raise money on Saturday night, there will items up for grabs including a canoe fully loaded with paddles and gear, two patio sets and a barbecue.
"It's been a good year," said Peacock, adding the year's successes would not have been possible without sponsors - such as the BID Group of Companies, Canadian Tire and Northland Chrysler Jeep Dodge - and the many volunteers working to put it together.
For ticket information, visit www.eveningofpink.com.
