For Shelley Fornwald and Melodie Willock, the decision to volunteer their time in raising money for cancer research was an easy one.
Both women had lost their mothers to breast cancer, and four years ago, the two decided enough was enough, and set about joining in the fight.
"It was a really easy decision to get involved with fundraising, because it was such a personal issue for both Melodie and I," Fornwald said. "We set out to do something different, and to help raise funds to fight cancer."
Succeeding admirably in both categories, the two women had set up the Lampman Lobsters for Cancer fundraiser dinner.
Held on the last weekend of September for what is now the fourth year, the dinner has also managed to completely sell out of tickets for every one of the years it has been held.
"To date we have managed to raise $119,000 to help cancer research, and to support people living with cancer," Fornwald said. "We are quite happy that the community continues to support the event as much as they do."
This year 400 tickets, at a cost of $60 a piece, or $450 for a table of eight, were sold.
"We order the lobsters from Halifax every year," Fornwald explained. "They arrive to us live every year the day before the meal, crawling all over the place."
"The only way to get fresher lobster is to fly to the ocean."
The meal has featured speakers in the past, however this year there will be entertainment instead, as well as three auctions.
"We hope to increase our fundraising potential with the auctions," Fornwald explained. "We will have a live auction, a Chinese auction, as well as a Dutch auction."
"There is going to be something for everyone on those tables."
While the two women who started the whole thing had both lost their mothers to cancer, Fornwald has just lost her father to the disease as well.
"It helped reinforce that this was something I needed to do," Fornwald said. "We understand the strain that this disease puts on families, especially ones from rural areas like where we live."
"It can be difficult sometimes to get to the urban centres for treatments for some people," Fornwald said. "It is just another stress in a stressful situation."
"By working at this dinner, and raising funds to help support the fight, it makes it easier for me, knowing that I am directly helping," Fornwald said. "It is all about helping people and families cope and hopefully overcome the disease."
The dinner will be held at the Lampman Curling Rink on Saturday, Sept. 25.
Cocktails will be served at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner at 6 p.m.
All profits from the dinner go to the Saskatchewan Cancer Society.
