Tickled PINK!

Cancer Center Receives $50,000-Plus from Donor, Firefighters, Soroptimists

The season of sharing has special meaning for the Northbay Cancer Center this week, after firefighters, a Vacaville service organization and a generous individual donor came together on Monday to present checks totaling $54,800 in donations.

"This means a lot to us at Northbay Health, and at the Northbay Cancer Center," president and CEO Konard Jones told a gathering of about 30. "We try to take care of the community, and when the community takes care of us, it's humbling."

Oncologist and Hematologist Jonathan Lopez, M.D., got things started by challenging Vacaville Firefighter Luke Iott to a pushup contest — one for every thousand the firefighters raised. After the pair successfully completed 17 each, Luke explained that firefighters sold T-shirts, and served meals at Pietro's No. 1 and donated to proceeds — $17,400 — to the Cancer Center. Northbay Health Foundation Board Member Heidi Campini stepped up and matched the donation with another $17,400.

Then Lisa Hilas, president of Soroptimist International of Vacaville and a group of Soroptimists announced a $20,000, donation to honor the memory of Wendy Wassserman, a longtime Soroptimist and board member for Northbay Health Foundation. Wendy lost her battle with breast cancer in 2018. Her husband Jim Kellogg brought Wendy's portrait and thanked everyone for keeping her spirit alive.

"There's so much we can do with this money and we thank you so much for sharing this with our patients," said Lori Muir, director of Oncology Services.