OCEANSIDE — It looked like pink-outfitted elves working at a camouflaged base camp as Survivor Crop hosted by Ever After Scrapbooks began at 9 a.m. Oct. 15 and did not stop for 24 hours. Crafters decked out in pink kept busy with nonstop cutting, gluing and sewing at the annual scrapbooking marathon that raised awareness and funds for breast cancer cures.
The majority of participants were Ever After Scrapbooks customers who shop in store or online. Many participants have been personally affected by breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women.
“Countless friends and customers have battled breast cancer or lost an aunt, best friend, or mother,” said Camille Akin, owner of Ever After Scrapbooks.
The fun and camaraderie of the annual event makes many return to participate year after year. Participants either work on their own projects or attend the onsite make it take it classes. Team costumes and banners are part of the event.
“There is a healing therapy in scapbooking,” Akin said. “It is a feel good event.”
The event also honored local breast cancer survivors who shared their personal stories with participants.
“Early awareness, early detection is key to survival,” Akin said.
To make the event easy on the pocketbook to participate in Ever After Scrapbooks owners Camille and John Akin ask participants for a minimum $130 donation, which is more manageable to raise than the minimum $2,000 donation required for some of the fundraising race walks for breast cancer awareness.
The group of approximately 150 participants raised $62,500 this year. The annual event is the second largest fundraiser for the San Diego affiliation of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
“It evolved into something way bigger than we imagined,” Akin said.
This is the tenth year of the annual Survivor Crop fundraiser. The event has raised over $400,000 in ten years.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure uses donation to promote awareness, fund research, and help breast cancer patients with their expenses. Donations can be made year round to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. A donation link can be found at survior.com.
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