Published: August 19, 2008 08:32 am      

Cancer survivor to get a cruise

Donors to the Henderson County Cattle Baron’s Ball will give the gift of relaxation this year in the form of a cruise.

Cruise Planners of Brownsboro and Kevin Lilly’s McDonalds are donating a $1,000 voucher to allow a cancer survivor to get away. Dale Fulgham, owner of Cruise Planners of Brownsboro, said she was contacted by Kim Walker — chairman of the auction and silent auction committee of the Cattle Baron’s Ball — asking for help.

“She told me there was a need and asked if I could help with that,” Fulgham said.

She said the voucher will allow the winner to have more options, such as choosing the date of the trip and the cruise line.

“There are so many factors out there. That’s why we set it as a voucher,” Fulgham said.

Fulgham said either Carnival Cruise Lines or Royal Carribean will be more convenient because they leave from Galveston.

“We are trying to keep the expenses down for the winner,” Fulgham said.

She said the most likely ship the winner will travel on is Carnival Cruise’s “Ecstasy.”

“It is a five-day cruise out of Galveston on Carnival Cruise ‘Ecstasy,’” said Dennis Mack, co-public relations coordinator for the ball. The ship will go to Cozumel.

Mack said survivors can register for a drawing at the ball on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Registration will be at the “Tree of Life,” according to Mack. He said those who enter the contest will be required to fill out an affidavit. The winner’s name will be drawn later in the evening.

“The ‘Tree of Life’ symbolizes people who have fought the fight,” he said. “The tree will be auctioned off later that night.”

Mack said last year the tree was 12-feet tall.

“It is definitely an outside tree that will need to be planted,” he said.