Speaker raises cancer awareness at fundraiser

None of Lynn Nunn's doctors could tell her why she had breast cancer, because none of the risk factors were there.

But today she is healthy because she had a mammogram and discovered it early.

Nunn was one of the speakers at the Second Annual International Wine and Food Tasting on Friday to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life (March 30-31 at Mackle Park). The tasting raised more than $11,000 for the event.

Nunn's message was for women to get mammograms and for men to have the women in their lives get mammograms.

"We need to support the cause," Nunn said. "We need to support the cure."

The tasting was held by the McCarty/Happney group of ReMax, the Survivor Marco Island team for the relay.

Abe Adib-Samii was supposed to be another speaker but was sick. His wife, Amparo, spoke briefly.

About 120 people attended the event with five tables of international food and wines, a silent auction and a 50/50. "Disco" Dave Bierbrauer provided the entertainment.

Jim Bono, owner of Marco Wine Seller, coordinated with distributors to have wine donated. Bono also donated wine to the event.

"I think it's a good cause and I know the people that are running it," Bono said. "And I just like to help."

Team member Laurie Grover said there was more community support this year with raffle items and silent-auction items. She said Galbraith Associates donated all of the plates for the evening.

"Our goal now is to get momentum for Relay for Life," Grover said.

Neil and Rebecca Snyder won $350 from the 50/50.

"We have a lot of silent-auction items to pay for, so you're getting it right back," Neil said.

Team member Vip Grover said he thinks through this support cancer will be eradicated in his life time. He said we have to believe that — it's called hope.

"Our message and goal is to stamp cancer out, that's why we're here," Vip Grover said. "As a team we're doing this for Relay for Life."