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“Hope Cures” Reaches Another Milestone
“Hope Cures…”
A simple statement, but says all it needs to. Hope, cures. As we move through our lives, the ups, the downs, the challenges, we may need to rely on many things, but one thing is for sure, without hope, you have nothing.
In 1998 Bob Kiesendahl heard those 3 words that change your life, “you have cancer.” Bob, newly married, 28 years young and healthy, was blindsided by the news. He underwent initial treatments at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center where unfortunately he learned his cancer had moved into an accelerated phase. He was hospitalized and struggled through some tough days, ultimately it was clear Bob would need a bone-marrow transplant to survive.
With incredible fortune, Bob found a wonderful individual who was a “good” match, willing to donate through the National Bone Marrow Registry. Due to the complexity of an “unrelated” (non-family member) bone-marrow transplant, Dr. James Ballard, Bob’s oncologist at PSHMC, recommended the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle Washington. Bob would spend 4 months there, often with family by his side, under an intense regiment and conditioning of full-body chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Bob remembers the pain and uncomfortableness of his time there, but as he endured, he believed this was all a sign of the cancer leaving his body. He was determined this was the way and it was working. Within himself he felt the drive to keep going, his family was there to give him extra strength as he persevered. Bob had hope.
It was during this time in Seattle that Bob began to focus on what he believed he could do to help others affected by cancer. Quite simply and unceremoniously it came to him, “HOPE CURES.”
Empowered with his own hope, along with his tight support network, and the resources within his reach with Woodloch Resort, Bob set off to lift spirits, inform others, fund cancer research and spread hope.
Bob began his efforts with a golf tournament fundraiser at Woodloch Springs in the fall of 2000. Bob wanted to start at the beginning and spread the word of the wonders of modern medicine, encouraging others to donate to keep the advancements going – every little bit helps. Bob felt the more others heard about the process of cancer the less fear, the more hope there will be, more lives will be bettered.
From that inaugural “BK Invitational” Bob’s Hope Cures foundation has been channeling funds and resources to many organizations that have a big impact on fighting cancer.
Hope Cures has hosted a myriad of events and has partnered with many local and regional businesses to help fight cancer. Bob started an annual 5k walk/run in the spring; he partnered with a local Harley Davidson branch for a big “Ride for the Cure” event. Hope Cures hosts a massive tricky-tray and raffle, “A Night for the Cure” which fully supports Susan G. Komen – now in its 13th year. Hope Cures has partnered with local coffee shops and brewery’s to raise awareness and funds; in 2021 there was even an axe-throwing contest! The Woodloch family and guests have supported the Hope Cures efforts as well with an annual “Jump for a Cure” where guests and staff alike all jump into the pool simultaneously.
With the conclusion of the 22nd annual “BK Invitational” in 2021, Hope Cures has distributed more than $1.5 Million to partner organizations. On the horizon are many great things for Hope Cures, such as discussions with a partner organization, For Pete’s Sake, in creating a respite community for late stage adult cancer patients and their families. This facility would provide an opportunity to better meet the needs of cancer patients and improve their outcomes & experiences.
Bob states, “People sometimes ask me if cancer has changed me. The answer is yes, it has changed me & in many ways – it has been a gift. It has reinforced what is truly important to me in my life, family & friendships. My disease has given me a clear mission in life to help and inspire others who are affected by cancer.”
The past two decades we have seen cancer deaths in the US decrease by 2.1 million. That is attributed to factors such as earlier detection & advances in research & treatment. However, we still lose 1650 Americans every day to cancer. The mission of Hope Cures is focused on making that number zero; the goal is simple – end cancer for good.
BK HOPE CURES FUNDS RAISED
AS OF NOVEMBER 2022
