CRESTVIEW — A local restaurant wrapped October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with donations to further the cause.
Last year during this month, Crestview’s Beef 'O’ Brady’s, along with 21st Century Oncology, held their first cancer fundraiser in memory of Crestview resident Serstin Lango, who died from breast cancer two years ago.
The fundraiser brought in $1,500, which went into the 21st Century Oncology nonprofit organization C.A.R.E. fund. This organization keeps all monies raised in the community and helps local cancer patients with medical expenses.
The cancer fundraiser was held for the second year on Saturday at the Crestview Corners Shopping Center restaurant on Ferdon Boulevard South.
General Manager Crystal Pena had been planning this event for the last 10 months.
“Most of our sponsors helped us out for free and we have gotten all types of prizes from the community,” she said.
Mike Lango, Serstin’s husband, and one of her sons, Brandon, were at the event. Their other sons, James and Patrick, could not be there.
The Langos were married for 29 years and came to Crestview in 1992. Mike spoke highly of the family’s experience with 21st Century Oncology.
“Serstin was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2013 and passed away in September of 2015. The staff at 21st Century Oncology was awesome. They made personal calls to see how our family was doing. One of her surgeons even came out to the house,” Mike said.
Brandon remembers his Mom’s infectious personality.
“The world would be a better place with her in it,” he said.
Cliff Longshore is the owner of the Crestview Beef 'O’ Brady’s. He said, “We love giving back and being a part of the community. The community came together so well for this annual event.”
“Crystal, Cliff and Bill Ellison, the area manager for Beef 'O’ Brady’s have been amazing! When a local company takes care of local people that really means so much!” Mike Lango said.
Saturday’s fundraiser featured pink T-shirts with Serstin’s name and the names of local businesses that donated prizes were on sale for $10 in support of the cause.
The event featured live music from two local bands and their services were donated. For every $5 donation, participants received raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses. Plus, Beef 'O’ Brady’s donated 10 percent of all sales for the day to the fundraiser.
Some of the prizes donated for this year’s fundraiser were massages, gift baskets, dinners, gift certificates and trips. The prizes came from many local Crestview businesses. So far, the donations for this year’s event have reached $2,200.
When asked what Serstin would think of this fundraiser, Mike Lango said, "My wife would probably be mad that her name is on the top of the T-shirt. She was always worried about everyone else.
“But, she would be happy that others are being helped.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We love giving back'