‘Fighting 4 a Cure’ – Annual Nebraska event draws thousands in support of cancer research

Each year, the Cattlemen’s Ball is hosted at a local Nebraska ranch. This year, thousands attended the weekend charity event at the Lonesome River Ranch in beautiful Custer County.

Twenty-mile-an-hour winds didn’t stop thousands of Nebraskans from flocking to Jeff and Lisa Johnson’s Lonesome River Ranch, near Anselmo, Nebraska in June to help raise money for cancer research.

In honor of Jeff’s parents, who both passed away from cancer, the family decided this was the year to host the important state fundraiser to help fuel the research needed to fight this deadly disease.

Each year, a different local ranch hosts the three-day Cattlemen’s Ball to raise money while showcasing the state of Nebraska and its backbone industry of ranching and farming.

Nebraska camaraderie for a cure

Many attendees are bound together by their own stories of grief, friendship and fight, and hundreds of volunteers came together this year to make the event possible.

The funds raised at the Lonesome River Ranch will go directly to the fight against cancer, this year through a collaboration with the Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center (formerly known as the Eppley Cancer Center), Nebraska’s only National Cancer Institute and one of the nation’s top research centers.

The community is eagerly awaiting the grand opening of the enhanced state-of-the art facility, which will forever change cancer diagnosis and research in the state. The Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center will bring the future of cancer research to Nebraska, using “the most advanced biomedical and technological tools available, to better identify the drivers behind cancer and create precise therapies that improve outcomes.”

Attendees partake in The Trail Boss reception at this year’s Cattlemen's Ball.

“The opportunity to spend the weekend enjoying the wide-open spaces of rural Nebraska and great company of many locals at this community-driven event was an honor,” said Robert Latimer, Sr. Advisor for TransCanada, based in Omaha.

“The impact that the Cattlemen’s Ball has on the fight against cancer is remarkable and it showcases the strong community values of Nebraska.”

Ninety per cent of the proceeds from the event go to the Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Centre, while the other 10 per cent stays in the community to support local health initiatives and organizations.

In addition to attending the event, TransCanada is proud to have supported this cause through a $10,000 “Golden Trail Boss” sponsorship. 

“The weekend of June 2 and 3 in a pasture in Anselmo, Nebraska allowed thousands a wonderful weekend of food, fellowship and fun,” said Lisa Johnson, the rancher who hosted the event.

“Thanks to TransCanada and countless other supporters for helping the 2017 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska tirelessly search 4 A Cure.”