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Cancer survivor beats cancer and raises money
Jill Benedict encouraged Crooked Creek attendees to wack a sack to raise funds to donate toward The American Cancer Society and University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
WINFIELD — While much of Crooked Creek Days in Winfield is fun and games, Jill Benedict took the opportunity to use that levity to fight for a very serious cause with her Beat Cancer activity.
“We are beating cancer one dollar at a time,” Benedict said.
Equipped with many blue plastic baseball bats and bags filled with straw and decorated with monsters, Benedict encouraged those passing by to pay a dollar for the opportunity to smack the sacks five times. As a survivor of two instances of brain cancer and another spot on her back, this cause is incredibly near and dear to Benedicts heart.
“The favorite thing I have ever heard is from a lady that had cancer,” Benedict said. “She said she asked the doctor how long she had to live. The doctor told her she examined her from head to toe and no where did she find an expiration date. She said that was three years ago and she still is alive.”
As one young man walked up to beat cancer, Benedict explained the activity to him.
“I smack it and say it’s for me. I smack it again for Deb because she had cancer,” Benedict explained. “It’s for Randy because he died from cancer, and it’s for my husband because he took care of me all through Cancer.”
Through the threat of tears Benedict ferociously declared, “We’re going to get rid of it. We’re sick of it. We. Are. Sick. Of it.”
After a full weekend, Benedict said donations were still coming in the following Tuesday morning. Once she has them all gathered, Benedict will donate the money to The American Cancer Society and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
