Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County aids first family

by Rhonda Swain

Earlier this year, cancer survivor April Lippincott of Daniel came up with an idea to create a non-profit organization whose agenda would be to raise funds to be distributed to Sublette County cancer patients.

She talked to other cancer survivors, including Steve James, Norman Pape and Judy Boyle, all Daniel residents, and Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County was born. Attorney Van Graham volunteered to put the corporation together and paperwork for the non-profit corporation, with James, Pape and Boyle as its board of directors, was finalized in June.

The first-ever Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County fund-raiser, held Aug. 16 at Stanley's Junction, brought in $11,526. The event featured a barbecue, raffles and an auction. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to benefit Sublette County cancer victims.

Lippincott said in an interview Monday that the success of the fund-raiser has come full circle, with the group contributing funds to Ivy Porter's family to help cover weekly travel costs to Salt Lake City for Ivy's cancer treatment.

With only about one in 2,000 children, Ivy "happen to be the kid that got it," Liz Porter said after daughter's acute lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed. ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells that normally fight infections, and Ivy's was first diagnosed as growing pains.

Then-three-year-old Ivy was complaining of her legs, especially the knees, hurting. So Liz and her husband, Karl, decided to take her to the doctor, who said Ivy's affliction was caused by growing pains. Ivy's pain worsened and on June 2, Liz took her to the Marbleton-Big Piney Clinic, where they drew a blood sample - and two hours later they were on their way to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

Liz said Ivy spent a week at Primary to begin with, and underwent a month of weekly chemotherapy treatments.

Lippincott said that applications for assistance from Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County may be picked up at Stanley's Junction or call 307-859-8274 (ask for Gene or April).

With Christmas in the air and the deadline for tax deductions rapidly approaching, Lippincott encourages people to make a tax-deductible donation to the cause, or a gift donation in the name of that hard-to-buy-for person on your gift list. Send your contributions to Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County, P.O. Box 383, Daniel, Wyo., 83113-0383.