KINGSTON — Kathleen Sutton fought breast cancer for six years. And for most of that time, Vivi-Ann Parnell was at her side, making sure that her friend had a way to get to her and from her treatments at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.

Parnell, a Kingston-area resident, smiles as she recalls memories of her friend, who died in April 2004.

Sutton worked in Kingston and was a respected businesswoman. She served as president of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, organized the annual Fourth of July parade, and was a volunteer in many events.

It’s Sutton’s memory  that brings a group of local women together to keep her dream alive: to ensure that women battling cancer get to and from their treatments and doctor’s appointments without concern for travel costs.

These women make up the Kathleen Sutton Inspirational Fund. The nonprofit fund helps cover travel expenses for women who are being treated for cancer.

The 13th annual auction to support that effort is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, in Port Gamble.

“It seems impossible, but we have women right here in our communities who give up on getting treatment, not because they can’t afford the treatment, but because they don’t have the money to fill their car with gas and take the ferry to their chemo appointment,” Parnell said.

“For some women, it can be as much as $100 a trip, and they have to make 20, 30 or 40 trips over the course of their treatment.”

When Sutton was undergoing treatment, Swedish was one of the only places around to get the kind of chemotherapy she needed.

Now, treatments are available on the Kitsap Peninsula. Still, some patients need help, Parnell said.

The organization helps women in Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam and North Mason counties. Originally, they helped women with breast cancer and ovarian cancer, but now they’ve expanded to help women with any cancer.

Since its founding 13 years ago, they’ve given nearly $350,000 to women in need of help with transportation and related costs. They’ve helped more than 800 women in that time, and last year alone gave $46,000 in aid.

The women work through local oncologists and area hospitals, often telling patient navigators about what the organization does.

“We do get referrals, too,” said Parnell. “We will help any woman who comes to us and we don’t ask a lot of financial questions. We just want to be able to provide them with rides to their treatment, if needed, and funds for the ferry and gas when needed.”

Parnell was a close friend of Sutton’s. From 1998 until her death in 2004, Sutton underwent treatment for breast cancer in Seattle. A network of friends cherished their time with her as they drove her to many of her appointments, Parnell said. As they went back and forth from Sutton’s home, they realized the enormous financial burden for travel associated with cancer care.

“These expenses are not covered by insurance and significantly added to the overall cost of treatment,” Parnell said.

Upon Sutton’s death, Parnell started the fund in honor of her friend.

“Before she died, Kathleen had a nightmare that she wasn’t able to continue her treatments because she didn’t have the money to get to Seattle,” Parnell said. “She wanted us to continue to help women with cancer after her death and we decided this was the best way to do that.”

This year’s live auction includes a safari trip, a wine trip to the Napa Valley in California, stays at condos in Cabo San Lucas and Hawaii, and a case of Washington wine.

There’s also a silent auction with a tent-full of special items to bid on. All items have been donated to the foundation for the auction. The foundation hopes to raise more than last year’s $57,000.

“We are proud of the fact that we have only a 2 percent overhead and that 98 percent of what we raise goes for direct services for women,” Parnell said.

Recently, the varsity girls soccer team and the boys football team at North Kitsap High School raised more than $1,000 for the foundation.

Another loss
Since the 2014 auction, foundation member Linda Joyce died of ovarian cancer in March.

“She was an important part of our organization,” Parnell said. “This is our first auction without her and we miss her so very much.”

This year’s auction is scheduled for 4-7 p.m., Oct. 4 at the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion in Port Gamble. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The live auction is expected to begin between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased for $35 at www.kathleensutton.org and include hors d’oeuvres and a beverage. Purchase tickets in advance and there will be no waiting to enter the event.

Auction organizers are still looking for sponsors and items for the auction. To donate call Parnell at 360-620-3259.

Info: www.kathleensutton.org or ksfund12@gmail.com.

Members of the board of the Kathleen Sutton Foundation at last year’s auction. Standing from left, Cheryl Callais, Vivi-Ann Parnell, Karla Woodside, Rita Osborn, Valerie Rotmark and Sandy Powell. Linda Joyce, seated, died in March. Contributed photo