Cancer is real and it is vast, and all of us have been affected in some way; either through associates and loved ones, or personally. The Karasch family, along with a group of dedicated committee members and volunteers, many of whom have also been affected by cancer, work hard to put together a fun, community involved event to help those in Central MN battle cancer. 

Sandy Karasch fishing on Big Watab Lake,
St. Joseph, MN

The Karasch family is inspired by their Mother, Sandy Karasch, whom they lost in November 2008 to Multiple Myeloma. At age 56, their Mom endured a bone marrow transplant and a painful and exhausting year of battling the disease. Through Sandy's cancer journey, and the family's experience with cancer, they came to appreciate the intensity in which cancer impacts a family and the immense challenge imposed on the doctors, nurses, and medical staff that treat cancer patients and their families. Sandy was impressed with and appreciative of the resources available to her, specifically through the Coborn's Cancer Center in St. Cloud, MN. The diligent research and the resources and support available for those impacted by cancer deeply influences the overall experience for a cancer patient and their family. It is for this reason, and the Karasch family's personal experiences with cancer, that we have started Greater Minnesota Fight for a Cure.

The vision of Greater Minnesota Fight for a Cure is to support cancer patients and families impacted by cancer in Greater Minnesota, while involving the community to raise funds for cancer awarness, prevention, and resources.

"Casting for a Cure" is a fund raising event to support the Greater Minnesota Fight for a Cure vision. Sandy loved to fish, and we see the event as an opportunity to bring community and families together around a great Minnesota pastime while raising money for a great cause. "Casting for a Cure" was the first fund raising event to support the Greater Minnesota Fight for a Cure vision. In 2009 the “Casting for A Cure” event committee donated $15,000 to Greater MN Fight for a Cure, followed by $20,000 in 2010! The third annual event will be held on September 10, 2011. In 2010 the “Volleyball Bash for a Cure” event was born. In its first year the event committee donated $6400 to Greater MN Fight for a Cure. The second annual event will be held on October 1, 2011. Through these events and more, Greater MN Fight for a Cure has donated funds to the following cancer resources: The Coborn Cancer Center, Colon Cancer Screening, Enhancement Programs, Family Grant, Gorecki Guest House, Hospice, Case Coordinators & Prayer Blankets.

To transfer the energy that has been absorbed by grief into an energy that can improve our community and the lives of those affected by cancer is a healing experience. We believe there other people that have experienced cancer and the impact it can have on a patient and their family. We invite you to transfer your experiences into positive energy towards cancer research and resources for Greater Minnesota.