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Published June 12, 2009, 10:28 AM

O’Connors raffle mother’s car for breast cancer research

When Mickey O'Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 11 years ago, the diagnosis seemed to motivate her to do more for her beloved Hastings (she was already an active community volunteer).

By: Jane Lightbourn, The Hastings Star-Gazette

  • Raffle car
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    The children of Mickey O'Connor, left to right, Pat O'Connor, Maureen Budach and Mike O'Connor, are holding a drawing for their mother's car with all proceeds designated for breast cancer research.

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When Mickey O'Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 11 years ago, the diagnosis seemed to motivate her to do more for her beloved Hastings (she was already an active community volunteer). She and Claire Mathews started the Hastings Area Breast Cancer Support Group.

O'Connor, who died last year after a long battle with the disease, also participated in the annual Susan G. Komen Three-Day Walk for the Cure.

This year, in honor of, and in memory of, their mother, the three O'Connor children – Michael O'Connor, Pat O'Connor and Maureen Budach – are holding a drawing for their mother's BMW. All the proceeds from the drawing are designated to pay the entry fees for the family members' three-day walk in the Twin Cities Aug. 21to 23. Each walk participant must raise $2,300 for Breast Cancer Fund. More than 30 members (as members of three teams) are walking. Their goal is to raise $75,000. As of earlier this week, they had reached about $20,000.

The car was a gift to Mickey O'Connor from her husband, Jim. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2002 and died in October 2002. During this time, he chose this car for her and surprised her with it, Budach said.

“It was her first brand new car,” Budach said. “She was the only driver.

“The car has sentimental value to us, and we just didn't want to sell it,” she said. “We thought this was the best of all worlds – to be able to use the car to raise money for a cause that Mom was so passionate about.”

The tickets for the drawing are $10 each or three for $25. They are available by contacting either Budach at 437-7143 or Pat O'Connor at 437-3911. Family members will also be selling tickets at several of the Cruise-In car shows this summer.

A party for the drawing will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Mickey O'Connor's home, 110 River St. The drawing will be held at 6 p.m. All who buy tickets are invited to attend.

More information about the Mickey's Hope team is available at www.mickeyshope.com.

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