A decorated tree with photos of 2020 “Pink Christmas” recipients. | Image Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News/Cedar City News
CEDAR CITY — “Pink Christmas” has become a tradition in the Southern Utah community for the holiday season for the past nine years.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions and a change of venue, Pink Christmas raised more than $45,000 in 2020 for local families affected by cancer, thanks to the help of Alex Meisner Construction and an overwhelming outpouring of community support.
Organizer Rachel Torres said the program was also expanding to the Mesquite area in 2020, hosting a second event to raise additional funds for community members in Southern Nevada.
The Southern Utah event will be held this year on December 2 at Cedar High School in Cedar City, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The event will showcase local entertainment talent. It will also have a silent auction, gun raffle and bake sale, plus a Santa performance for the kids. The entrance fee is $5 per person or $20 per family.
The Mesquite event will be held Dec. 11 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM Nevada time at Scotty’s Bar and Grill on the Falcon Ridge Golf Course. It is scheduled to feature live music from Tamara Reber and Jordan Sanders, along with a raffle. Entrance is 10,- per person.
Pink Christmas has helped 15 southern Utah families since 2013 and will help four more this year, Torres said. In addition, the Nevada event helped two families in 2020 and three more families in 2021.
Torres said an account for accepting donations has been set up with the State Bank of Southern Utah under the name “Pink Christmas.” You can also donate via Venmo @PinkChristmas. Contact Rachel Torres at 435-463-2665 to donate to the silent auction.
2021 Utah Beneficiaries:
Kerry Fain and family, recipients of “Pink Christmas” 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Kerry Fain was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in December 2020 with metastasis to her liver, lungs and thyroid. Kerry is a big supporter of our community. She is the president of YETI in Southern Utah and has devoted much of her time to providing our community with the ice rink and organized ice sports. Kerry is the wife of Chad, mother of Zack, Miles, Luke, Bo, Alyssa and Hallee and the grandmother of Preston.
Amy Giddings was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2017 which later went into remission. In March 2021, the cancer came back as stage 4 and has spread to her lymph nodes, spine and sacrum. She works at Chrysalis and has continued to work through all of her treatments. She finds motivation in the children she spends her days at work with. She is Bart’s wife and mother to Brett Giddings and Megan White.
Faith Flower was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in October 2021 while preparing to serve a mission to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She likes to play video games, draw and read comics. Faith worked at Walmart until she was diagnosed and is the oldest of 10 siblings. She has six sisters and three brothers. She is the daughter of Brent and Chantelle Blodgett.
Janae Heaton was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in April 2021. She was a cake decorator at Honey’s Marketplace in Kanab until she got sick. Her diagnosis was particularly difficult for her since she had to make the transition from caregiver to patient. Prior to her diagnosis, Janae was her husband’s primary caregiver and had to rely on her daughters for help. She is Brett’s wife and the mother of Shaelynn, Jayde and Carley.
2021 Mesquite Beneficiaries:
Shaquel Cannon and Husband, 2021 “Pink Christmas” Nevada Recipients. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Shaquel Kanon is a beautiful mother of seven children, Asia, Savannah, Rudy, Kylie, Jimmy, Kolina and Cody. The wife of the late Jim Cannon, was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 which had spread to stage 4 metastasis in 2016. Her favorite quotes include “Always see the good,” “This is a beautiful day,” and “I’ve never seen this one before.”
Anita Burton is the wife of Kenny Burton and is the mother of three children, Drew, Juliahna and Levi. Diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer in November 2021, her favorite quote is “Put your mind on things above and not on things on Earth.”
Wende Wolfe-Killinger is a beautiful mother of four children, Taylor, Jake, Lucas and Marcus. She is Rich Killinger’s wife. Wolfe-Killinger was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular carcinoma in August 2021. Her favorite quote is, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”
photo gallery
Amy Giddings and family, recipients of “Pink Christmas” 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Faith Blodgett and family, recipients of “Pink Christmas” 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Janae Heaton and family, recipients of “Pink Christmas” 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Kerry Fain and family, recipients of “Pink Christmas” 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
A decorated tree with photos of 2020 “Pink Christmas” recipients. | Image Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News/Cedar City News
“Pink Christmas” Flyer for Cedar City, Utah Event on December 2, 2021 | Image Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News/Cedar City News
Santa will appear at the upcoming “Pink Christmas” events in December 2021 | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Shaquel Cannon and Husband, 2021 “Pink Christmas” Nevada Recipients. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Wende Wolf-Killinger and Husband, 2021 “Pink Christmas” Nevada Recipients. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
Flyer “Pink Christmas” for event in Mesquite, Nevada on December 11, 2021 | Image Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News/Cedar City News
Anita Burton, recipient of “Pink Christmas” Nevada in 2021. | Photo Courtesy of Pink Christmas, St. George News / Cedar City News
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