Holland America are teaming up with St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka to raise awareness and funds for cancer.
The Holland America line has often offered fundraising cruises in the past and are now providing the upcoming ‘cruise for cancer’ which sets sail for a week long Alaskan journey on August 8th 2015.
St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka will benefit directly by receiving a portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales. Funds raised will go towards improving technology and equipment, increasing staff, improvements in patient navigation and more cancer services.
Susan Vogt Butch, donor relations coordinator for the St. Joseph Hospital and Redwood Memorial foundations, said; “Becky and Jerry (who own Cruise Planners, and were friends with one of our foundation employees) were impressed with the equipment, technology and physicians in our cancer program and they wanted to do something to help. the idea of a fundraising cruise came up,”
“Our goal is twofold: and celebrate those that have survived and beaten cancer and celebrate the fact that in a community of our size, we are incredibly fortunate to have the level of care and quality of physicians and staff that we have here.”
In 2013, both St. Joseph and Redwood memorial hospitals treated more than 750 cancer patients.
A reception for those attending the ‘Cruise for Cancer’ — including community members, hospital leaders, medical staff and cancer survivors — will take place the first day of the journey.
The cruise begins in Seattle and will sail directly to Juneau where the Ms Westerdam will take passengers on a relaxing journey, making stops in Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria (where there are plenty of opportunities for nature watching and shore excursions) before returning back to Seattle.
There are a variety of activities including; a spa, salon, pool, fitness centre, culinary arts centre, casino, a selection of sports, piano, nightclubs and fine dining. As well as this there is a vast collection of fine art, including an original Andy Warhol portrait and 5,000-year-old carved limestone figures from Ecuador!
Click here to read more about Holland America Line cruises with Ms Westerdam.
