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Fairfield woman hopes to be Iowa’s top fundraiser for American Cancer Society
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FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield woman hopes to become the top fundraiser in Iowa for the American Cancer Society.
Dawn Ridgeway Bechtel has been raising money for the American Cancer Society for the past 15 years. Last week, the organization announced its top fundraisers by state and by region. At that time, Bechtel was ranked No. 2 in Iowa, and No. 19 in the entire North Region, which covers 16 states from Indiana to Washington. Bechtel is also part of a team with Marylou LaRose called the Cancer Exterminators’ Jefferson County Relay for Life Team, and their team is ranked No. 4 in Iowa and No. 57 in the North Region.
Bechtel said that, as of Tuesday, Sept. 24, she had raised $20,656 this year for ACS. She raises money by selling luminaria bags for the Relay for Life and by hosting bowling tournaments. The next bowling fundraiser will be Nov. 2 in Mt. Pleasant.
Jefferson County Relay for Life hosted a Survivor Meal in August, and that drew a great crowd and a large number of donations, Bechtel said. Money raised from the event was split evenly among the members so that each person got $2,300 to count toward their fundraising credit.
Other fundraising activities that Bechtel has participated in include selling calendars, cookbooks, and garage sales.
“People are more willing to donate if they get something,” Bechtel said.
There are many reasons that Bechtel is motivated to raise money for cancer research. She is a cancer survivor and has had several loved ones who passed away from the disease. Bechtel had precancerous cervical tissue in 1996, which doctors were able to remove without invasive treatment. She was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019, but luckily because doctors caught it early, she was able to take care of it in a noninvasive way.
“I’m an advocate for early detection and knowing your body,” she said. “I did not need chemotherapy or radiation, and I was able to have it burned off. Fortunately, it’s not come back.”
A good family friend named Sandy Worley died of cancer in 2010 at the age of 63. For several years hence, Bechtel organized an auction in her memory to raise money for ACS. Bechtel added that, after Worley’s death, both of her grandmothers died of cancer, too. Bechtel’s mother-in-law Linda Bechtel passed away from cancer in 2014, and she described Linda as being a “mom” to her even before she met Linda’s son Todd, who is now her husband.
Bechtel’s teammate Marylou LaRose has survived cancer multiple times, and has been battling the disease for the last 40 years. LaRose said she is a “DES baby,” referring to a synthetic estrogen called Diethylstilbestrol (or DES) that was prescribed to pregnant women from 1940-1971. According to the National Cancer Institute, babies exposed to this drug showed higher risk for developing certain cancers.
LaRose commented that, after a 13-year period, cancer re-entered her life.
“It could have destroyed my spirit and devastated me financially, but for the wonderful support of my family and friends, and the assistance of the ACS, the Hope Lodge, and the Holden Cancer Center at U of I, I am grateful to be NED [No Evidence of Disease] once again! Thank you for all your donations,” LaRose said.
Bechtel said it would be a great accomplishment if she could get to the No. 1 spot, and for her and LaRose to become the No. 1 team in Iowa, especially since they’re competing with people fundraising in much bigger cities.
Those who wish to donate write their check to the American Cancer Society, and mail it to Dawn Ridgeway Bechtel, at P.O. Box 1083 in Fairfield, IA 52556. She can be reached at 641-919-2209.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
