NEWS

Raleigh horse show to benefit UNC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

By AMY PHILBECK
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

CHAPEL HILL -- Riding horses will not be the only thing on the minds of participants and audience members when the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association gets together for its annual show in Raleigh June 26-30.

They also will have children on their minds – specifically, the children at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, part of the UNC School of Medicine department of pediatrics and a clinical program of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Riders from throughout the eastern United States are expected to participate, and portions of the proceeds will fund patient care and research support services at UNC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, where children are treated for cancer and other blood disorders.

The annual horse show, one of the largest such events in North Carolina, will be held at the James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex. The event is free to the public.

Every year, the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association hosts the Raleigh show and gives the proceeds to a local organization.

"We are just doing what we always do," said Rachel Judd, a participant in the Raleigh show for the past 12 years. "It just makes it even better knowing that the money is going to a good cause."

This year, the Carolina Hurricanes will sponsor the "Jumper Classic" portion of the show, said Linda Mansmann, event co-chair.

A benefit gala and silent auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 28 at the complex. Chris Garvey, national sales representative for Iceland Foods, has used his knowledge of the food industry to help plan the gala and secure a large donation of food, Mansmann said.

Some items at the auction will be creations of pediatric patients. UNC doctors asked children to draw pictures of horses, and Framer’s Market in Chapel Hill donated framing of the artwork.

"It’s the doctors that do the important work. I just wanted to do anything I could to help," said Mary Anne Steinis, the manager of Framer’s Market. "It’s really a great idea, in keeping with the theme of horses and helping the children."

In a "Hunter Jumper" show, the horses and riders are judged based on their athletic skill and ability to jump over various obstacles in the ring. The horses do not have to be of any particular breed, said Judd.

The youngest participants are usually about age 8. "It is a good experience for the young riders to meet the pediatric kids," Mansmann said. "They can learn a lot from each other."

The pediatric cancer patients and riders often have a lot in common, she added.

"Athletes have a great focus, and I think patients do, too. Patients and athletes never lose track of their goal – winning or surviving."

"The minute you hear the word ‘leukemia,’ it changes your life forever," said Marcia Myers, whose 15-year-old daughter has the disease. "There’s always a need for research, but even if there is a cure for it, you don’t want a child to go through everything they have to for the cure."

Progress in caring for children with cancer requires significant amounts of money, said Dr. Julie Blatt, UNC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology chief.

"Support from clinical revenues and grants, the university and hospital isn’t enough. Philanthropy is critical to what we do, and the community has come through for us with its support for the horse show."

For more information, call (919) 966-1178. Those who would like to register for the gala should do so before June 14.

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Note: To view contact information for the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association board of directors, whose members live throughout the state, please click on http://www.nchja.com/contact_us.htm.

NCHJA contacts: Debbie Judd at (919) 732-8630 or djudd@juddllc.com, and Linda Mansmann at (919) 942-6347 or fgfarm@mindspring.com
UNC News Services contact: Deb Saine at (919) 962-8415