Founded in 2004, the Lexington Cancer Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a philanthropic mission to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. Dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare for cancer patients, the LCFI vision is to become a leading resource of funding and information to dramatically reduce the incidence and suffering caused by cancer.
The LCFI board is comprised of fifty passionate women, and a junior board of over thirty women, who are all committed to the mission and to making the vision a reality. Since its inception, the LCFI has awarded and pledged over 2.5 million dollars to numerous cancer organizations. These funds are dispersed through an annual grant process. Funds are raised through a series of fundraising events and personal donations.
The LCFI offices are located in the Lexington Cancer Foundation Volunteer Center at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge is a no cost housing facility for cancer patients receiving treatment in the area and is owned and managed by the American Cancer Society. The LCFI contributed a large portion of the capital campaign to the facility, over $1,000,000, as well as, an additional $850,000 in grants and pledges towards the facility since 2004. In return, LCFI receives office space at no cost.
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Timeline
2004
October
Brenda Rice, Founder/President and eight additional women, committed to raising funds for cancer, created The Lexington Foundation, Inc. Their vision was to start a Foundation in which they could raise funds for cancer and have the ability to have a voice in where these funds were dispersed. The original nine founding members selected an additional 41 ladies committed to the fight against cancer to join the Foundation as board members. The Lexington Foundation, Inc. receives nonprofit designation status.
2005
March
Cross Gate Galleries holds the Foundation’s first fundraiser. The art auction raised over $90,000.
May
The Foundation held its first Lexington Derby Ball at the beautiful Donamire Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Over 800 guests attended the elegant event.
October
The Foundation held its first medical symposium in partnership with the UK Markey Cancer Center. The topic was breast cancer and Evelyn Lauder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation was a featured speaker.
The Foundation held is first Fall Wine Celebration at the Round Barn at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. Jackson Family Wines were featured at the lovely event. Over $500,000 was raised in the fight against cancer.
November
The Foundation completed its first grant process awarding over $292,500 in support of the Foundation’s mission.
2006
April
The Foundation hired Kristi Martin as Executive Director.
The Foundation offices are temporarily located in donated office space while the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge is constructed. The Foundation’s board members contributed a large portion of the capital campaign to the facility, over 1 million dollars; in return, Foundation receives office space at no cost and naming rights to the administrative building: The Lexington Foundation Volunteer Center at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.
May
The second Lexington Derby Ball was held at Donamire Farm. Over 800 guests dined and danced the night away in a beautiful garden setting.
October
The Foundation held its second medical symposium in partnership with the UK Markey Cancer Center. The topic of focus was colorectal cancer: prevention, early detection, and optimal treatment. Experts from major cancer centers throughout the United States joined UK’s stellar faculty.
The second Fall Wine Celebration took place in the Round Barn at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. Wines featured included Jackson Family Wines, Chalk Hill, and Jordan Vineyards. The event was a tremendous success raising over $850,000.
November
The Foundation completed its third grant process, awarding over $318,553 in support of the Foundation’s mission.
2007
January
The Foundation moved into The Lexington Foundation Volunteer Center at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
The Board of Directors voted to change the Foundation’s name to “The Lexington Cancer Foundation, Inc.”
May
The Foundation held its third successful Lexington Derby Ball, again at the beautiful Donamire Farm. It was an enchanting evening where over 800 guests were surrounded by orchids, mermaids, shells, seahorses and more, while dining and dancing.
October
The Foundation held its third medical symposium in partnership with the UK Markey Cancer Center. The topic of focus was prostate cancer. The two day seminar featured a national panel of expert physicians covering topics ranging from chemoprevention, primary local therapy, systemic therapy, and supportive care.
The Foundation’s third Fall Wine Celebration and Auction was held in the Round Barn at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. The sold out event was once again a tremendous success, raising over $800,000. Featured wines included Jackson Family Wines, Chalk Hill, Jordan Vineyards, Blackbird Vineyards and many more.
November
The Foundation completed the third grant process awarding over $359,109 in support of the Foundation’s mission.
2008
January
The Foundation renames the highly successful Fall Wine Celebration, “The Kentucky Bluegrass Wine Auction” strategically moved to Derby Week of 2009.
April
The first annual Hats for Life event was held at Victorian Square in Lexington, Kentucky. Over 100 beautiful Derby hats were available for auction; milliners included Polly Singer, Maggie Mae Designs, Attitudes by Angie, Peter Beaton, Frank Olive, Christine Moore, Cynthia’s Centuries of Style, Anne Sawyer and many more. With each purchase, guests received a beautiful Peter Beaton hat box.
May
The 2008 Lexington Derby Ball was again held at Donamire Farm. Over 800 guest enjoyed a beautiful Egyptian setting among the rolling hills of the Bluegrass. Guest danced the night away to the Right On Band, with a special appearance by Steve Cropper.
August
The Foundation sponsored the first Hope Lodge Reunion. Families and patients that have stayed at the Hope Lodge attended the event.
The Foundation sponsored the UK Pediatric Oncology Picnic.
November
The Foundation held its fourth medical symposium in partnership with the UK Markey Cancer Center. The topic featured was Lung Cancer, focusing on radiation therapy, pain management, screening and prevention, palliative care and staging.
The Foundation completed its fourth grant process awarding over $293,000 in support of the Foundation’s mission.
2009
March
The Foundation partners with Central Baptist Hospital to hold a series of free public cancer forum discussions. The first forum was held on the topic of Cancer and Genetics.
April
The second Hats & Handbags event was held at the Hilary J. Boone Center at The University of Kentucky. Guests enjoyed a glass of wine while bidding on hats from designers such as Christine Moore, Polly Singer, Frank Olive, and purses from Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, and more. The Foundation was thrilled to have New York Millliner Christine Moore onsite at the event. Guests had an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win a jewelry item from Tiffany & Co.
The 2009 Kentucky Bluegrass Wine Auction was held at the Keeneland Clubhouse. California vintners were onsite pouring their own varietals. Vintners included Oakville Ranch Vineyards, Revana Vineyards, Barbour Vineyards, Blackbird Vineyards, Spottswoode Vineyards, Duckhorn, Quintessa, Charles Krug, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Ziata Wines, Jean Farris Winery and Bistro, Jackson Family Wines and Palmaz Vineyards. The event was tremendous success, raising over $650,000.
August
The Foundation sponsored the second American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Reunion. Families and patients that have stayed at the Hope Lodge attended the event.
September
The Foundation sponsored the UK Pediatric Oncology Picnic for the second year. The event was much larger and was moved to the University of Kentucky Campus.
October
The 22nd Annual UPHA Fall Saddlebred Classic selected the Foundation to be the recipient of the funds raised at the horse show.
The Foundation was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from Diehl’s Magnolias. The event was held in honor of Stephanie Diehl, a Foundation board member, who passed away from ovarian cancer in early 2009.
The second free public cancer forum was held at Central Baptist Hospital. The topic was How do I to pay for cancer care? Know your resources and your rights.
