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The crowd at the Farm Party.The Teer Farm will hold its annual Farm Party on Oct. 30, marking the eighth year for the event. The event raises funds and awareness for UNC Lineberger, and has brought in more than $52,000 for the cancer center.

Coordinators started the event 12 years ago, when their friend was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. Organizer Stephen Whilden said the friend was so impressed with her care team at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital, the clinical home of UNC Lineberger, that she wanted to throw an appreciation party for everyone who had a hand in her treatment.

“The Teer Farm, here in Chapel Hill, has been in our family for more than 60 years.,” Whilden said. “It provided the perfect setting for all of us to say ‘thank you.’ ”

Whilden said supporting a local cancer center is ideal because so many people will experience cancer in their lifetimes, either personally or through a friend or relative.

“It could be a personal struggle or an experience through a loved one. When you see up close the physical and mental toll a cancer treatment can have on someone you love, you want to help make it easier. We know Lineberger is worth our support because their mission is to assemble a team and develop a strategy to do just that,” Whilden said.

Whilden said he has confidence that UNC Lineberger Director Shelley Earp, MD, and his team will use time and resources wisely to advance cancer research to a place where cancer is cured.

“A common theme we hear from survivors is how personal UNC Lineberger makes it for each patient,” he said. “Every diagnosis, treatment and person is different. It is comforting to know our donations are supporting this “it takes a village” mentality in every aspect of a patients’ journey from treatment to survivorship.”

A bluegrass band plays music on the farm.