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Striking a common chord against cancer

Richmond gala in aid of breast cancer research draws near

For 21 years, Nite of Hope Richmond’s breast cancer fundraiser has flourished because it struck a common chord with supporters.

Just ask Judi Knapp; she’s been there from the start.

What started out as a relatively small gathering in her Richmond home has grown into a fully-fledged gala which, on April 8, takes to the River Rock Show Theatre with recording artist and cancer survivor Bif Naked as guest speaker.

“It’s amazing the response we’ve had over the years,” Knapp said. “It has provided a place for people to come together and basically grieve, celebrate and support those friends and loved ones going through this. It was also a chance for those going to be aware and learn a little something from our keynote speakers — research doctors, survivors, entertainers — who have been touched themselves. And when people hear a story, they can relate more closely to the cause.”

Knapp’s story with the Nite of Hope began with the passing of her mother.

“I was just 17 when she was diagnosed,” said Knapp who is now 50. “But it wasn’t until I was 25 that she passed away. As sad as that was, I am able to look back on it now and see how remarkable the treatment was, and then realize it’s progressed and become so much better today in terms of diagnosis.”

The family was living in Kamloops at the time and resources were limited.

“We had one oncologist, at the time. But my mom did very well, and a lot of that I credit to her ability to thrive through a very difficult diagnosis.”

It’s that same attitude Knapp showed when she became determined to challenge cancer which also claimed her young sister-in-law not long after her mother.

That helped set the wheels in motion for the Nite of Hope.

And the enduring momentum the event has created is a special point of pride for Knapp, especially since it spawned two other Nite of Hope events — one in White Rock which is now on hiatus, and another on the North Shore which celebrates its sixth annual gala Oct. 3.

In Richmond, the husband and wife co-chair team of Rob and Richelle Akimow, who are organizing the Nite of Hope, remain committed to retaining that sense of community that supporters produce each year.

“It’s always been a very emotional evening,” said Rob, the Richmond News’ director of advertising who has been a long-time Nite of Hope volunteer.

“And what I heard in the community was that people loved attending because they had an opportunity to come together at least on one night of the year, in a formal setting and share stories and laughter.”

A major motivator for Richelle to get involved comes from her family’s experience with cancer.

“There’s a lot of cancer in my family,” she said. “Not specifically breast cancer, but I lost my grandmother not too long ago, and my grandfather and father both have had cancer, too. But those two are battling away.”

This year’s Richmond event follows a little bit of a different route — the money from the 2014 and 2015 galas will be used to purchase new diagnostic equipment, thanks to an agreement with the Richmond Hospital Foundation.

“We’re very excited because the equipment there, I know myself from many years of living in Richmond and going for my mammography, was not up to snuff,” Knapp said.

“The hospital has been lacking and there were long waits. So, now taking the focus off research and on trying to assist the people of Richmond who have been so supportive of the Nite of Hope event, is a nice partnership.”

It is also a positive step in a community which appears to be quite well educated on the benefits of early breast cancer detection.

“In Richmond, in general, the awareness of breast cancer is far superior than any other community in B.C.,” said Rob.

“Richmond has the highest screening rate — 64 per cent of eligible women participate compared to 52 on a regional average. Whether that’s the Nite of Hope playing a part in raising awareness, I’m not sure, but Richmond is just with it.”

What Richelle likes this year is the fact they’re raising money for something very tangible and desperately needed at Richmond Hospital.

For more information about the Nite of Hope Richmond, visit niteofhope.com.