Last year’s inaugural “Paint the Rink Pink” hockey game by the Austin Bruins set the bar high for 2012, with a sellout crowd of nearly 2,000 people raising more than $22,000 for The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned breast cancer research.

Fortunately — for The Hormel Institute and anyone ever affected by breast cancer — history repeated itself this month, again at greater levels than anticipated. Another sellout crowd helped the Bruins raise nearly $39,000 for the Institute’s cutting-edge breast cancer research.

The Bruins — along with the Austin community through the first “Paint the Town Pink” citywide initiative – significantly multiplied awareness and fundraising for our breast cancer research in Austin, with “Paint the Rink Pink” and “Paint the Town Pink” raising more than $62,500 combined. The Hormel Institute’s faculty and staff are extremely grateful for this outstanding support that provides vital funding and encouragement.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Austin Bruins owner Craig Patrick, who generously has made “Paint the Rink Pink” an annual benefit for the Institute and to his outstanding staff, coaches and team for their hard work. We encourage everyone to attend Bruins games and show your support to a team that provides tremendous service and entertainment to our community. We also thank Michelle Fimon, who spoke courageously during “Paint the Rink Pink” of her battle against breast cancer.

May we also deeply thank organizers Jim Nelson and Duane Smith of the “Fishing for a Cure” contest and all who took part in that ice-fishing event that raised nearly $12,000 this year — almost quadruple their previous high. Many thanks also go to the organizers of St. Olaf Church’s pink pancake and Spam breakfast; “Paint the Packer Gym Pink” basketball game; Hormel Foods plant’s silent auction; and the numerous other people, businesses and groups who made the first “Paint the Town Pink” such a successful, fun and meaningful event.

We also applaud the outstanding work by those who served with The Hormel Institute’s staff on the “Paint the Town Pink” committee, including the Austin Conventions & Visitors Bureau’s Cheryl Corey, Heidi Murray and Eileen Chao; Jeff Baldus of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce; Kim Underwood, director of Austin Parks & Recreation Department; Janet Anderson and Gretchen Ramlo of the Austin CVB’s Board of Directors; and Tami Yokiel, of Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Thank you again to the Austin Bruins and Austin community — The Hormel Institute is fortunate to have your faith and trust in our aggressive pursuit for answers to cancer. Together, we all share the commitment and vision of “Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Cures.”

 

Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H.
Executive Director
The Hormel Institute