In 2008, people in Santa Cruz County will be newly diagnosed with cancer, and people will die during this year.

Mission:
The Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group is a volunteer non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with cancer in our community, as well as supporting new research that will provide possible cures and better solutions for treating cancer. The SCCBG accomplishes these activities by raising money and consciousness through events support by those members of the community we call Partners Against Cancer.

In the last 13 years, the SCCBG has given to local cancer organizations and research.

History/ Founding: “The Promise”
Ten years ago five friends raised a glass to each other, made a promise and became the founders of the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group (SCCBG). The promise was inspired by the pain and frustration that each of these friends experienced by the suffering and loss of a loved one to cancer and it’s treatments. They promised that they would devote their time and energy to raise money to support research for alternative treatments to chemo-therapy and radiation, and hopefully a cure. They also promised to support local groups that were providing the much needed services for people living with cancer. And lastly, they promised to create a way to channel the hurt in a positive way, and to invite the whole community to be involved. From this promise the First Annual Spring Forward Against Cancer gala was born.

That first year the group raised $2000 for their cause and 11 years later, in 2006, raised $87,000. The original five founders are still actively involved with the SCCBG, along with over fifty other active volunteers. Together they will enter their second decade with an ever-renewed motivation to keep their promise.