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Tea for Cancer gala raises $30,000

By Clay Schuldt 5 min read

NEW ULM - Sunday, hundreds gathered at the Best Western Plus for afternoon tea and to support those battling cancer.

The sixth annual Tea for Cancer benefit began as an annual backyard party with friends, but has since evolved into an event that benefits area cancer patients. Since August

2022, Tea for Cancer has awarded $90,000 to over 90 families in the New Ulm area.

Tea for Cancer co-founder Sandy Reinke said typically eligible recipients receive around $1,000 to support them.

"Every time we get $1,000, I think, 'That's another family,'" Reinke said. "It means so much to us."

Proceeds raised from the event directly impact the local community. Reinke said applicants for the support must be receiving medical treatment for the cancer diagnosis within Brown County, Minnesota, or the applicant must be receiving medical treatment for the cancer diagnosis that requires travel outside of Brown County.

The funds may be used for whatever the recipients want, whether it is for help with transportation, co-pay on medicine, groceries, paying utility bills, or even a fun weekend with the kids. The main goal is to assist families financially to allow them to focus on recovery.

"The gala has grown wonderfully since it started in the backyard," said new Tea for Cancer board member Krista Brown. "Every year, we come close to selling out the event. This year we have nearly 21 full tables, that's close to 170."

Brown said the reason the gala is so popular is that everyone is touched by cancer.

"We all know someone who was diagnosed with the disease," she said. Many of those attending the gala were cancer survivors themselves.

Tea for Cancer has several fundraising opportunities over the year, but the end of summer gala is still the biggest.

"The donations have been outstanding," Brown said.

A new addition this year was the supportive message campaign. At each table, note cards were set aside for attendees to write messages to individuals going through treatment for cancer. The notes would be sent to New Ulm Medical Center’s Oncology Department for patients. The cards would provide support for those going through a difficult time.

"It is to give them words of encouragement," Brown said.

This year's keynote speaker was 26-year-old Gabi Rolloff, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 23.

Rolloff coaches figure skating in New Ulm. She learned of her cancer diagnosis in June 2023. She visited the hospital for something else earlier in the year and an abnormality was found. The doctors decided to have her undergo other tests just in case.

Rolloff said at the time she did not think the test would amount to anything because she was too young to be at risk.

"I did not think a 23-year-old could get breast cancer," she said. "When I learned the test came back positive, I felt numb."

Rolloff said at the time she believed breast cancer was an easy treatment. She believed it was a simple surgery to cut out the cancer and she could go on her way.

"I thought my life would not be impacted," she said. Then she had to undergo chemotherapy, which began in August 2023. During that first treatment, she had an allergic reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs. Fortunately, the chemo nurse was calm and managed the situation quickly.

During her chemo treatments, Rolloff learned of an important drug called Doxorubicin, sometimes called "The Red Devil" due to its bright red color and the extreme side effects.

Rolloff said that though many called in the Red Devil, she meet a fellow cancer patient who called it the "Red Angel" because in the end, it helps give a person their life back.

"I liked that," Rolloff said. "So I called in the Red Angel."

Rolloff said she has gotten her life back. She has been in remission for a year and a half.

"My cancer journey is not over," she said.

There were other treatments and checkups she would need but her life was now "livable" and she is back to coaching figure skating. In fact, immediately after her speech, she left to attend a figure skating competition with her team.

Reinke said leaving the gala early to coach is the best excuse she has ever heard because it means her life is truly going on after cancer.

Reinke said originally, the gala was scheduled to have a second speaker, Avia Ramos, who is the mother of Cashton Pressley. Ramos was scheduled to speak during the event about her son's struggles with cancer and other medical conditions; however, Cashton died the week before the gala.

Reinke said they wanted to recognize Cashton during the gala.

"There is a lot of beauty in life, no matter how short," she said. "Cashton had a gift for bringing people together. In his 17 months, he united his family and community."

For that, Reinke asked everyone to honor Cashton Pressley with gratitude and not sorrow.

The Tea for Cancer board members are still calculating the funds raised from this year's benefit, but Reinke said they raised at least $30,000 through tickets, donations and sponsorships. This equals at least 30 other families that can be helped on their cancer journey.

"We are thrilled, humbled and grateful for the support of this community," Reinke said. "Thank you all for the help you're giving us."

For more information on Tea for Cancer events, including applying for support, visit https://teaforcancer.org/

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