Dexter Fundraiser Nets $20,000 for Chelsea Community Hospital

For the fourth consecutive year, a group of hard-working and dedicated citizens in the Village of Dexter have come together to raise $20,000 for the Chelsea Community Hospital Infusion Center.

The annual “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” cancer benefit, which took place on Aug. 17-18, started as a grassroots fundraising effort following Dexter resident Gary Klapperich's successful cancer surgery at Chelsea Community Hospital in 2009.

After his recovery, members of the Ann Arbor Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2154 and the Dexter American Legion Post 557 made the decision to initiate an annual fundraising event to support the hospital and its cancer services.

Klapperich serves as the honorary chairman of the event, which consisted of a rummage sale and auction, as well as entertainment, a cook-out, bake sale, and 50/50 raffle. 

After the inaugural “It’s a Great Day to be Alive” event took place in 2009, the hospital opened its Infusion Center on campus. The Infusion Center was entirely funded by donor support.

In 2014, the hospital will build a comprehensive cancer center, which will include radiation oncology. The cancer center will allow doctors to expand upon services and provide a full spectrum of cancer care to patients.

"Chelsea Community Hospital is grateful to the many Dexter community members who worked to make the event a success once again, and for their unparalleled community spirit," hospital officials said in a press release.