C O N N E C T I N G
B I S M A R C K
C A N C E R
C E N T E R
Hope Help Healing Winter 2014
OUR MISSION The mission of the Bismarck Cancer Center is to make locally available the highest quality, state-of-the-art radiation therapy services to persons with cancer within the Bismarck service area. Such services shall be delivered, insofar as possible, without regard to reimbursement, and always in a supportive compassionate, and caring manner.
Loren and his family
“I take this as a gift of time and opportunity to serve and give back. To help others and their families in the way Missy was cared for during her cancer treatment. It’s what I’m doing this for.”
Teaming with Rick Schock (whose life had been forever changed after watching his own father battle Leukemia), the two young men began ‘Give 5 To Cancer,’ their online marketplace.
Loren Balkowitsch lost his sister-in-law to breast cancer in 2010. She sought cancer care as far away as both Mayo and Texas; still, she felt the very best care she received was right in her backyard at the Bismarck Cancer Center. Motivated by the depth of her stamina and determination to fight cancer, Loren teamed with Ryan Volk to make a difference in the lives of those left behind. “Ryan and I wanted to do something – both to raise awareness and to fundraiser for the cause,” Loren Balkowitsch says. “We organized the Volkowitsch Open golf tournament, which is now in its fourth year.” 100% of the proceeds from the tourney are donated evenly between the Breast Cancer Research Foundation & the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation. Shortly thereafter, he became a Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation advisory board member. “Losing Missy was a significant reason I chose to step up and do something,” he says. “Watching her battle this cancer was so painful; I knew becoming involved with the fight against cancer would be meaningful to the families going through what we had.” As Loren became more involved in fundraising, he made further personal financial decisions. He chose to leave his family-owned business to venture out to develop an e-commerce site.
“Our for-profit organization carries more than 14,000 products; from sporting goods and outdoor products to fireplaces and televisions, we have it all,” Loren says. “We took some time to establish the business and get into a groove. Once we were up and running, we considered ways to use this business to honor and support cancer victims.” Now in its third year, the organization donates $1 per online sale to cancer – equating to ‘giving five’ for five items sold. “We donate $1 per sale directly to cancer foundations – again shared evenly between the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (national donation) and the Bismarck Cancer Center (local donation). “Writing our very first check to the Cancer Center was instrumental in knowing we’re committed to this,” he says. “Although the check was small, just $14.00, it’s grown by leaps and bounds. Last month, our local donation exceeded $500. We anticipate $1000 over the Christmas shopping month. That’s a testament to our business growth – and certainly to our commitment to give to this disease through the Foundation and to overall research.” To date, Give 5 has given $63,620 in the name of Missy. And when Loren’s not working with Give 5, he’s volunteering for the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation Advisory Board, where he currently serves as vice-president of fundraising. “It was important to me that I bring my passion to the table. I’ve seen stagnancy happen on boards – when direct involvement didn’t occur. My commitment to this opportunity is that I wouldn’t be ‘that guy,’” he says. “Instead, I take this as a gift of time and opportunity to serve and give back. To help others and their families in the way Missy was cared for during her cancer treatment. It’s what I’m doing this for.” Further, Loren said he works Applefest and other events as a go-to guy. He likes to help out as much as is needed.