Benefactors

Longtime friends launch community fundraising effort in Auburn
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While $138,000 isn't small change, it's a long stretch to the group's million-dollar target. Acknowledging that raising a million dollars for cancer research is a monumental task, Traynor is confident the Auburn community will continue to give to this worthy cause.

"We have demonstrated that we are real," Traynor said. "We will make every effort to get to the million-dollar mark. We know we can."

Last summer, Traynor hosted a dinner at his house for those who have already committed to donate to the fund. The donors will form an advisory board to establish the priorities and directions for the fund.

Sheri Rhodes, development officer for the cancer center, will make visits to Auburn to invite the community to tour the cancer center.

"I will be keeping them in the loop about new developments, new treatments and new clinical trials to raise public awareness of what the cancer center is and what it can do for them," she said.

Rhodes also plans to encourage other communities to do what Auburn has done. And indeed, this is one of the endowment funds' missions: to serve as a model for other communities that wish to financially support the search for a cure to cancer.

"If Auburn can do it, why can't other communities do it?" Traynor asked.