For the seventh consecutive year, Paint the Town Pink exceeded its previous year’s campaign goal, raising $303,367 for cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, in Austin.

With a goal of $300,000, PTTP also, for the first time, exceed the $1 million mark. On Thursday, it was announced that $1.129 million had been raised since its inception in 2011, when with the very first “Paint the Rink Pink” hockey game brought in $22,000 to the world-renowned cancer research center.

The formal check presentation was made Thursday at the institute.

“We are grateful for the generosity of our community and the hard work of our organizers to give this gift of cancer research for The Hormel Institute, a gift that is for everyone,” said Kathi Finley, director of Paint the Town Pink. “We know how deeply our communities care for people who are dealing with cancer,  are survivors, have lost someone to cancer, and who want to create a better tomorrow for all of us. We do that through cancer research.”

Hormel Foods’ “Helping Hands” committee donated over $16,000, with a large part donated by Rod Rhyks and Hormel Foods’ Tom Day. Over 100 businesses held PTTP events and thousands of individuals from Austin and surrounding communities donated.

Paint the Town Pink’s official two-week campaign was Jan. 30-Feb. 12, with fundraising events held throughout the year. Judy Enright of Hoot ‘N Ole’s “Dutchtown Jumpers” Plunging for Pink (polar plunge) team was awarded the “Pink Heart” award for outstanding leadership and contribution. Debbie Retterath, organizer of this year’s “Pinko Bingo” was this year’s PTTP ambassador, representing Adams, LeRoy, Dexter, Grand Meadow, Elkton and Rose Creek.

“It is such a blessing to have been the ambassador for Paint the Town Pink,” said Debbie Retterath, a breast cancer survivor. “To have the opportunity to share the message of hope to all those impacted by cancer and to remind everyone you don’t fight alone has been an honor beyond my wildest dreams. The generosity of our communities, the support of all these events and activities is truly amazing.”

Gail Dennison, director of development and public relations for the institute, noted that a new donor, Absolute Energy of Lyle/St. Angsar, Iowa, donated $14,000 to the cause this year.

Another donor, AgStar, doubled its contribution this year through its Fund for Rural America program.

Impressive throughout the campaign continues to be the involvement not just by Austin, “but all the communities surrounding us; their help is so important. They know that cancer research done at The Hormel Institute is for everyone, not just the residents of Austin,” she said. “We could not do this without them.”

The Hormel Institute distributes seed grants to the institute’s cancer researchers with PTTP funds for innovative projects leading to major federal grants. With federal budgets threatening to be cut and research grants increasingly more competitive, the grants are highly valued.

“Your donations allow our scientists to research projects that might not otherwise be funded,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director. “Thanks to The Hormel Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar donated can go into research, none to administrative costs. We appreciate everyone’s generosity and support and know we will continue to work hard for answers to cancer prevention and control. That is our best way to say thank you.”