A new charity created by a Ponte Vedra couple to support breast cancer patients with treatment costs recently partnered with The DONNA Foundation to hold its inaugural “Night of Wine and Roses” fundraising event.
Linda and Bill Adams, co-directors of the CancerKare Fund, hosted community members and several cancer survivors Feb. 2 at the Nocatee Welcome Center for live music, fine wine from Coastal Wine Market, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and silent and live auctions conducted by a professional auctioneer.
The event raised $5,000 for the DONNA Foundation, which also helps underserved women with breast cancer who can’t afford their critical needs during treatment. Founder Donna Deegan attended the event to represent the foundation and show her support for CancerKare.
“I want to thank you all for putting this together,” said Deegan, whose foundation has helped more than 10,000 women since its founding in 2003. “I can’t tell you how much I love the women in this community, and the men. I’m thrilled that we’re able to provide the services we do.”
Linda Adams, a breast cancer survivor, shared her story and expressed her gratitude for the people and organizations that guided her throughout the treatment and recovery process – the very people who inspired the Adamses to establish the CancerKare Fund in January.
To carry on their legacy, the Adamses introduced and presented two awards: the “Breasty” award, which acknowledges individuals who contribute to the fight against breast cancer, and the “Fight for Life” award for a breast cancer warrior.
Linda presented the CancerKare’s first “Breasty” award to Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Brett Snyder, who performed Linda’s reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy and guided her through aftercare, surgery and recovery.
“He is warm, kind, caring,” said Linda, who is currently cancer free. “When he met me, he made me feel cared for. All along that I cried he did not make me feel embarrassed.”
In addition to the award, the Adamses presented Snyder with a bottle of his favorite wine as well as an oil painting of the wine completed by Bill Adams, who is a painter. Snyder responded with humility.
“I feel that I played a very small role,” said Snyder, whose team offers its services in Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville, Amelia Island and St. Augustine. “I’m proud to accept this on behalf of all of my patients.”
Linda then presented the “Fight for Life” award to Zettie Beverly, a two-time survivor of breast cancer who also has rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease. In order to undergo chemotherapy, Beverly said, she had to stop taking her arthritis medication, which caused her to become extremely ill. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and 2012, Beverly delivered a straightforward message to the women at the event.
“Please get your mammograms,” said Beverly, who only discovered her cancer via the imaging. “It is very, very important."
The Adamses plan to hold “Night of Wine and Roses” on an annual basis, increasing its number of attendees each year. Bill is planning to hold a one-man art show this coming summer that will also benefit the Donna Foundation.
