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Pulling Together To Fight Cancer

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: February 25, 2009

Even with the hard economic times, many businesses and individuals from throughout the Land O' Lakes community pulled together to help with The Listen to your heart ... Concert for a Cure 2009 at the Land O' Lakes Community Center Feb. 14.

Lillie Lopez helped to organize the event along with Juan and Lilly Fontanez of Land O' Lakes. The concert and taste of the town helped to raise $1,700 for the Land O' Lakes Sun Rays American Cancer Society Relay For Life team.

"I am so happy with how the community was able to pull together," Lopez said. "Everyone was so excited and eager to come and join us. We had over $1,000 worth of donations from businesses in the community in spite of the economy. We can't wait to do it again next year."

Dan Hubbard and his wife, Joyce, came from Wesley Chapel to enjoy the festivities and give their support to the cause. Both Joyce and Dan were diagnosed with and treated for cancer in the last year so they said this is a cause near and dear to their hearts.

"The food smells delicious and the bands have been great," Joyce Hubbard said. "I think it was great for them to have this event so they can raise money for the cause as well as awareness. We have been so blessed, so today we came together to give those blessings back."

Diana Aviles-Martinez, 17, of Land O' Lakes volunteered at the event.

"I am here because I love to help people," Aviles-Martinez said. "I think this is a great event because there is so much to do. Next year, more people should come because there is something for everyone."

Ashley Boothe of Lutz spent the night before the event making goodies with her mother Donna Mullens and her friend Emily Morales.

"I volunteered to help because I saw my Mom survive breast cancer twice and I lost a friend to cancer recently," Boothe said. "I stayed up all night to make the chocolates, cookies, cakes and brownies because I wanted to help."

Organizers said the concert for a cure will return again in advance of next year's Relay For Life at Land O' Lakes High School. This year's relay is set for April 24-25.

For more information on the relay and the American Cancer Society, visit relayforlife.org.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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