This year marks the 5^th Annual Turning Up the Heat on Brain Tumors Chili Cook-off to raise money for brain cancer patient support and research through the Chris Elliott Fund/The Elliott Foundation. The cook-off will be held at the Magnolia Plantation Golf Club in Lake Mary, Florida on Sunday, October 28^th, 2012 from 4:30 to 6pm. The event also features a silent auction, wine basket raffle, vendors and more!  Suggested donation of $5 for your bowl and spoon for the chili tasting.

This is the fifth year event coordinator Cindy Rogalski has raised money for this disease and the Chris Elliott Fund (CEF). Cindy became involved in CEF when she lived in the Seattle-area attending the non-profit’s annual gala. It wasn’t until her mother was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma, in 2007 that she fully understood the value of CEF’s care and support for brain tumor patients. Rogalski speaks of her experience with Dellann Elliott, CEF Co-founder and President, during her mother’s battle with the cancer: “Dellann was amazing, she made sure my mom’s case was reviewed by top doctors and we felt at ease knowing what we we’re doing was the best for mom.” (Read more about Cindy’s Story)

Rogalski describes the cook-off as a very fun event that brings together the quiet but large community that has been touched by this aggressive disease. This year’s cook-off hopes to feature even more vendors than years past and involve local restaurants as an element of the competition.

To date Cindy’s event has raised over $8,000 for CEF. But Rogalski also has national goals. The impact she has made thus far in her community is tremendous and has served as inspiration for a national day for CEF awareness. Her goal is to have at least one chili cook-off in every state over the next 3 years: “in one afternoon if a chili cook-off in every state could raise even just $1,000 that would be huge, $50,000 for CEF!” says Rogalski. She has also made a step-by-step planning list for individuals interested in taking part in their own chili cook-off, in any community. Cindy encourages all who might be interested in hosting their own Chili cook-off to get in touch with her: “Let’s get this to a national level! I will be there for you all of the way, just raise your hand.”

If you’re in the Lake Mary, FL area, head on over to support CEF at this fun and tasty event! If you would like to start your own event, please get in touch with Cindy who can be reached at [email protected] or at 480.784.7872!

Follow the event on Facebook! www.facebook.com/chilicookoffturninguptheheatonbraintumors

Check out Cindy’s Chili Cook-Off Event Planning Checklist to get your own Chili Cook-Off Fired up! Let’s all Turn up the Heat to END BRAIN CANCER!