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AdvertisementI had a ball in NebraskaI attend many events throughout the year and do not make these comments without fully understanding their ramifications but, in all honesty, there are few events that I have been a part of in the past few years that rival what happened in Central Nebraska last weekend. The 11th annual Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska was held near Doniphan with the theme of "Give Cancer the Boot." In the first 10 years of the Cattlemen's Ball, $3.2 million has been generated for cancer research and the best part of it is that all of the proceeds go to benefit cancer research in the state where it was donated. This year the committee set a lofty goal of $1 million and I feel the final total will be closer to that than anybody would have ever dreamed. Dr. Kenneth Cowan, Director of the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer within the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has devoted his whole life to "Giving Cancer the Boot" and was on hand for the entire event June 5 and 6. Dr. Cowan mentioned that, thanks in part to the efforts of volunteers for the past 10 years, the Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska has contributed to increasing the number of researchers at the Eppley Cancer Center by 100. He also indicated that 12 million Americans are now considered cancer survivors as a result of cancer research. The only regret I have is that I missed the final portion of the style show when cancer survivors walked out on stage modeling the latest fashions. I am told that not a single dry eye was observed in the tent. Deanna Bosselman and Don Deitemeyer, the co-chairs from Doniphan, devoted a year of their lives to organizing and putting together this entire event. After the ball, Deanna summarized it with a quote that sums up the entire event to me: I thanked a Cancer Survivor Volunteer for her help in Giving Cancer the Boot. She said, "I haven't given it the boot, yet; I start my first chemo treatment on Monday. I came here to help and be inspired by others who have beat this disease." I think we all understand the impact that cancer has on our lives today but, as Dr. Cowan was speaking to the crowd of about 3,500 people, he asked all cancer survivors to stand. Of the 300-plus tables in the tent, I suppose that every single table had at least one person standing. Then he asked for everyone to stand who has had a family member or friend with cancer and not one person was left in his or her chair. What a visual that was! What a true demonstration of the unbiased agenda that cancer has in attacking anyone. The event, co-hosted by the Robb family of Doniphan and the Whooping Crane Trust, was the epitome of everything good in America. Thousands of man-hours were donated by hundreds of volunteers, only to see what some dreaded--a less than perfect day in terms of weather. Imagine putting up three of the largest tents you have ever seen in the middle of your pasture and hours before the arrival of nearly 4,000 people, you get 6 inches of rain. I mentioned from the stage that I thought it was the perfect weather day as an analogy to the fight against cancer. Sometimes the road is messy, the fog makes it unclear exactly were you are or where you should turn, but you stay steady on the route you believe to be the best. Your best tool is not some fancy Map Quest printout but, rather, it is the strength you gain from other human beings. It is the power of prayer and faith and believing that we are all part a grand plan. You show up and give it every bit of energy you have to make the road a little less rocky and that, my friends, is exactly what was accomplished Saturday, June 6, 2009, in rural Nebraska. Individuals from states around the nation, big cities and rural areas of Nebraska all came together with one common goal: to "Give Cancer the Boot." It was inspiring. Dinsdale Chevrolet donated a Chevy Tahoe and raffle tickets, sold for a chance to drive it home, generated just short of $80,000 for the cause. Auction items went home far and wide, capturing not only the spirit of the day, but the "can do" attitude of Americans. Country singer Craig Morgan took to the stage during the auction to make sure that his autographed boots brought more than Larry the Cable Guy's. In return, Larry the Cable Guy called in and donated a hat to outsell the Morgan boots and Craig Morgan was the buyer! The atmosphere was incredible and I felt so honored simply to be a part of it. This event, strategically located in what many would call "the middle of nowhere," is the perfect example of what American citizens can do in the name of a good cause, at a time in our nation when far too many think that everything is negative and all hope is lost. I have more faith than ever in the perseverance of the human race when the road we follow leads us to a rural route! My hat's off to everyone who is helping to "Give Cancer the Boot" Editor's note: Trent Loos is a sixth generation United States farmer, host of the daily radio show, Loos Tales, and founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization putting the human element back into the production of food. Get more information at www.FacesOfAg.com, or e-mail Trent at trent@loostales.com. Advertisement
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