Bullitt County tradition returns to benefit UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center

A tradition in Bullitt County returns for the fourth consecutive year as the Cancer Awareness Show brings its mix of two shows in one to the Hillview Community Center, Saturday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the day’s activities will benefit patient support, community outreach and research programs of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville.

“In the past three years we have gone from 12 vendors to 50 last year,” said show organizer Richard Luce Jr. “Last year in our additional shows we had more than 70 cars and 80 model cars. We plan to continue to grow and make this a very well-known show throughout not only Bullitt County but throughout the Ohio Valley.”

The event is composed of two shows-within-the-show: an arts and crafts show and “Cruizin’ for Cancer,” a car, truck, motorcycle and model car show. Also included are food and other vendor booths, live entertainment, demonstrations by Metro Louisville EMS and Police and prize and cash raffles. More than 50 vendors have been approached to participate thus far.

Levi Beverly, PhD, a Brown Cancer Center research scientist who examines the mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression and regression after treatment, will be on hand to discuss his work and provide a general overview of the progress made in recent years in successfully beating cancer. Proceeds from the show help fund Beverly’s laboratory along with services provided by the M. Krista Loyd Resource Center and the Kentucky Cancer Program, both initiatives at the Brown Cancer Center.

Admission is free but donations to the James Graham Brown Cancer Center are welcomed.

Luce’s passion in organizing the show stems from personal experience. Like virtually every American, he has a connection to cancer: His father died from the disease in June 2013.

“Since my father’s passing, I have striven to improve cancer awareness,” Luce said. “We must bring awareness about the different types of cancer. Testing is necessary as a preventive procedure. We want support groups to come out to the Bullitt County area and be known. We eventually want to bring the doctors to the area for routine checkups and screening.  

“The James Graham Brown Cancer Center is both a local and regional center that does wonderful things by helping not only in research but making sure the patients get the proper care and treatment that they need. It is important to me that the donations and proceeds not only stay local but go where they belong.”

Vendor spaces are still available. Arts and crafts, food and entertainment vendors should contact Theresa Nelson via email. Car, truck, motorcycle and model car exhibitors should contact Luce via email or by voice or text at 502-802-8308.