Over the past several weeks, an amazing thing has happened in Beaufort County. The outpouring of support for the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center help fundraisers pull in over $70,000. That’s a lot of cash for the cancer center in Washington.

There are many pieces to this particular fundraising puzzle, because it’s not just one event, but several — two golf tournaments; a charity walk; a campaign to sell bows to honor those who won their battle with cancer and honor those who’ve lost it, as well; a fundraising “honor board” that did the same; a raffle for items generously donated to the effort.

From a small movement to honor a friend and neighbor, Marion L. Shepard, the residents of Cypress Landing and the resident golf pro at the Cypress Landing Golf Club dreamed up an idea to raise money to support the local cancer center. In just a few short years, the fundraiser has grown exponentially. When last year’s golf tournament rolled around, people were turned away from participating because spaces had sold out. So this year, the Washington Yacht & Country Club joined forces with Cypress Landing, doubling the number of people who could participate in the simultaneous tournaments. With the successful sale of purple bows to individuals at a minimum cost of $15, purple and pink bows were offered for display by businesses for a minimum of $25. Most who bought them gave more, simply because there can never be a minimum price for honoring a loved one.

Each of those bows was handmade, the ribbon for which was donated by a local decorator. Volunteers spent many an hour, twisting and tying each bow, dozens at a time.

Local businesses chipped in in other ways, providing food, drink and T-shirts for the Hope and Heroes Walk last Thursday and the golf tournaments on Saturday.

The list of people who participated is endless.

But the list of those who will benefit from the money raised is also endless. The money stays right here in Beaufort County. It will be used to support the many programs the cancer center has — from teaching women uplifting ways to deal with the physical ravages of cancer, to massage for cancer patients and caregivers, to yoga classes and journal writing classes, to financially assisting those facing a huge medical bills. These services are not limited to patients at the cancer center, but available to all cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

These last few weeks of fundraising on behalf of the cancer center are a true example of a community taking care of its own. To all those who participated large and small, thank you.