Lee Memorial begins Bucks for Ducks fundraiser
The community has the opportunity to purchase pink rubber ducks throughout the month of October to help raise money for the Lee Memorial Health System Breast Health Centers’ Mammography Fund, as well as honor those touched with breast cancer.
Diana Hammock, manager of the Breast Heath Centers, said the annual Bucks for Ducks fundraiser began in October 2011 to offer something different for staff and breast cancer survivors. After initially stumbling across duck races that other centers have held, staff decided to sell rubber ducks and have them float in the reflection pond.
Bright pink rubber ducks became available to purchase Tuesday, Sept. 29. The ducks are $3 for one, or $5 for two.
They can be purchased at Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Dr., Suite 100; Sanctuary Breast Center, 8960 Colonial Center Dr.; HealthPark Commons Breast Center, 16281 Bass Road, Suite 204 and Surfside Outpatient Center, 2441 Surfside Blvd.
Hammock said in the past individuals have purchased the rubber duck to honor a loved one, or in memory of a loved one. She said often times the individual will write a message on the duck before they personally place it in the reflection pond at the Regional Cancer Center. Staff will also place the rubber ducks in the pond throughout the month.
A special memorial and blessing of the rubber ducks will be held at the reflection pond Thursday, Oct. 29, at noon. Hammock said a Lee Memorial Health System chaplain will be in attendance to conduct the blessing.
“Anyone is invited to attend,” she said.
Since the fundraisers inception, $10,000 has been raised for the Mammography Program fund. The program is available for underinsured and noninsured patients throughout the Lee County community.
For more information, contact Hammock at 239-343-9452.