10/13/2017
Chris Allen and Jill Farwell’s mother, Mary, received treatment for lung cancer at the Seacoast Cancer Center, unfortunately passing in 2012. Inspired to take this sad turn of events and turn it into something positive, Chris and Jill, with their spouses Catherine and Cory rallied to create the Great East Lake Poker Run, a fundraiser with roots in family tradition to benefit cancer care.
Chris and Jill’s Grandfather and Great Grandfather purchased land on Great East Lake, Wakefield, NH, in the late 1920's and the lake has been an integral part of the family since. Mary Dickson Allen spent all of her summers at the lake and participated in competitive waterskiing (with the trophies to show it). They raised Chris and Jill to have a love of the lake and they have passed that same appreciation on to their children.
In 2014, Chris and Catherine, Jill and Cory decided to create a charity event in their mother’s memory. Along with their father Paul (Mary’s husband), they host a Poker Run on Great East Lake the weekend after Labor Day each year. The event consists of a series of stops at various pre-determined locations around the lake where boaters randomly draw cards from up to 5 decks of cards. The best Poker Hand wins ½ of the entry fees and all other fees and money generated from raffles and the sale of event T-shirts all go to an organization that supports the fight against cancer. It is a great way to wrap up the summer with great friends, remember Mary, and try to do some good in the fight against cancer.
Here is some great footage of the day captured by drone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxOnXy7L7-g.
Over the past 4 years, they have generated well over $15,000 in total for national cancer causes. This year they raised an astounding $7,800 for Seacoast Cancer Center! This money will help to strengthen, enhance and grow cancer care, right here on the Seacoast. Thank you!
If you are inspired to host a fundraiser to benefit Wentworth-Douglass, please contact Emily at Emily.Moore@wdhospital.org or 603.740.3292.