COChemo EbayAuctionPrsRel

Susan Sullivan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/28/15 CAST OFF CHEMO! susanlsullivan2014@gmail.com 501-­‐680-­‐1470 castoffchemo.org Buy the Best – to CAST OFF CHEMO!
Special Ebay auction to benefit alternative cancer treatment to be held October 2-­‐16, 2015. For two weeks in October, 2015, fabulous yarn, fantastic knitting and crochet needles, patterns, books and much more will be available through an eBay auction to benefit Cast Off Chemo!, a nonprofit effort to raise funds for a clinical trial for a cancer treatment that wouldn’t involve chemotherapy. The complete list can be viewed at the Cast Off Chemo! website, castoffchemo.org, starting in September with new items to be listed as they become available. Yarns from Skacel, Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts, Berroco, Tahki Stacy Charles, Mountain Colors, Imperial Stock Ranch, Trendsetter Yarns and others will be listed. Denise Interchangeable, HiyaHiya and others have donated knitting needle and crochet sets. Subscriptions from major yarn industry publishers will also be available. Sweater wash, totes, online classes, and other surprises are also to be included in the listing. A special, custom-­‐dyed, sport weight Superwash merino-­‐nylon blend yarn in a luscious hibiscus-­‐
watermelon color will be listed, with supporting patterns on Ravelry, will also be offered at a very special price. “We are grateful to have such generous sponsors and contributors from the craft industry,” said Susan Sullivan, Auction Coordinator. “All the funds raised will go to the goal of raising $1 million for a clinical trial that could make a huge difference for those with breast cancer and other cancers.” Dr. David Krag, a research surgeon at the University of Vermont, has a promising immunotherapy treatment that must go to clinical trials before it can be FDA-­‐approved. The technique uses the patient’s own antibodies to fight off the disease. Dr. Krag previously discovered the sentinel node tracer technique, which reduces the need for radical mastectomy and enables needle biopsy procedures. He is very committed to finding an alternative treatment for cancerous tumors. Cast Off Chemo! is a program under the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund, a nonprofit created by a family member of one of Dr. Krag’s patients. All donations are tax deductable. “I lost my mother to cancer,” said Cari Clement, Cast Off Chemo’s Lead Coordinator “Haven’t we all lost someone we love to cancer? Isn’t it time we had more treatment options? If everyone who knits, crochets or crafts sent in $1, we’d far exceed what Dr. Krag’s team need’s” Over 50 knit and crochet patterns are already available for $5 each on Cast Off Chemo’s Ravelry page, with all proceeds going to the cause. New patterns are uploaded weekly, often daily. “We have some amazing designers who are supporting the cause,” Clement said. “Now we just need to make sure knitters and crocheters know about our Ravelry page.” No one involved with Cast Off Chemo! accepts any funds for their work. It is an all-­‐volunteer effort. # # #