Splash Bash
Lois Jost is Katy's beloved best friend and coach
Splash Bash ~~ Event to help two groups' missions of saving lives - human and animal
By Ed Hardee, For the News-Leader
Many cancer patients know the power of support from their doctors, family and friends - and from their pets.
No one knows better than Lois Jost. Throughout her treatment and recovery, the 11-year cancer survivor had her spirits lifted by her beloved golden retriever, Lucy.
"You're going through chemo and radiation, and you don't feel very good. It's a calming thing to be able to sit with your dog, pet your dog," Jost says. "Lucy was very comforting when I was going though all of that. You don't know what you'd do without your pet. They provide so much comfort and joy."
Sadly, the Fernandina Beach Realtor lost her friend Lucy last August after her own battle with cancer. But Jost and her new best friend, a golden named Katy, will be honoring her - and all cancer patients and their caregivers, human and canine - at two special events soon.
Teams participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Fernandina Beach/Yulee are joining forces with the Nassau Humane Society for a pair of fundraisers to help both groups' missions - saving lives, both human and animal. Coming up first will be the Splash Bash, where Katy will be the star of the show and contributors will have a chance to win a cash prize.
The Splash Bash party begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Nassau Humane Society Dog Park, on Airport Road across the street from the Fernandina Beach airport. Admission is free and appetizers, beer and wine will be available. Tickets are $10 each for a chance to win in the night's big event, which will be at the dog park's swimming pool.
Each ticket will be numbered, and tennis balls with corresponding numbers will be plunked into the pool. Katy will plunge in and grab two of the balls - and the holders of both winning tickets will receive 25 percent of the total proceeds from the ticket sales. The remaining proceeds will benefit the Nassau Humane Society and Fernandina Beach/Yulee Relay for Life.
Tickets are available now at First Federal Bank of Florida, Redbones Dog Bakery, the NHS Dog Park on Airport Road and online at NassauHumaneSociety.com. You can buy as many as you like, and don't have to be present to win.
Katy has been rehearsing, and "she's a bit of a ball hog - she wants to get all the balls out of the water," Jost says with a laugh. But she's confident that Katy will be up to the task. "We're working with her and my husband, Dave, is a better trainer than I am. She takes a break to rest, and she's ready to go again."
A second fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Sept. 10 - the Bark for
Life, a noncompetitive walk through downtown Fernandina Beach, starting with 9 a.m. opening ceremonies at Central Park.
"This event pays tribute to those who have had cancer and to the canine pets who help them through treatment," says Sandy Balzer, a Nassau Humane Society volunteer who is helping to coordinate both the walk and the Splash Bash.
"This is the first event of its kind in Florida and it's also a tribute to our pets who have battled cancer," Balzer says. All proceeds will be divided equally between NHS and Relay for Life. In addition to the dog walk, there will be food and activities throughout the day Sept. 10.
The pre-registration fee is $10 per dog, and you can register now at the NHS Dog Park, Redbones Dog Bakery or at NassauHumaneSociety.com. Late registration will be $15 per dog, starting at 8 a.m. Sept. 10 at Central Park. Supporters of the cause will get a goodie bag and doggie bandana.
For more information, please visit the NHS website or call Sandy Balzer at 491-6146.
As a cancer survivor and dog lover, Jost calls both the Relay for Life and the Humane Society "near and dear to my heart." She hopes the upcoming events will help both causes and raise awareness that many rescue animals (like Katy) can make wonderful pets. She knows how valuable a special pet can be, especially during difficult times.
"Going through cancer treatment is tough - but you can enjoy your dog, even when you feel bad," Jost says. "Your dog doesn't care if you've lost all of your hair. Your dog just wants to make you happy."
For her time with Lucy, and the comfort she brought, "I consider myself very lucky."
Jost and her team, "Lois & Friends," will be participating at the Relay for Life of Fernandina Beach/Yulee event on Nov.5-6 at Yulee High School. For more information, please contact Alice Nolan at (904) 335-1825 .
Ed Hardee is a volunteer at the Nassau Humane Society and a member of its board of trustees.
Story created Jul 25, 2011 - 13:09:02 PDT.
NHS Dog pArk