Help Samantha Achieve An Invincible Summer and Beat Cancer

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Samantha. She was such a beautiful and selfless person, completely full of love and compassion and we are so very heartbroken with the loss. The benefit will still continue this Friday, as we feel it's only appropriate to celebrate Sam's life with those she touched along her journey. Please join us as we all come together to remember, share, and celebrate. This is what Sam was all about...coming together, helping people and spreading love.

For those attending on Friday, if you'd like to share a specific story about Sam with everyone, please contact one of the Ambers via the information at the end of the article so they can arrange the itinerary. Otherwise, feel free to bring cards or write notes for Sam's family; sit back, listen to some live music, and reminisce with those who have been fortunate enough to know Sam. All proceeds from the silent auction and raffles will go to the Samantha Uphold Benefit.

"In the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer" - Albert Camus

Come out to Cornucopia Coffee Company on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 6 pm for Samantha's Invincible Summer. $10 donation for live music from Jug Band, Theo, and Fivestar Deluxe, raffle ticket for a chance to win photo shoots, gift certificates, event tickets and more! There will also be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Designer Desserts will be on location selling their cupcakes, with all proceeds going to the benefit.

Samantha (Vanaman) Uphold, 1998 graduate from Morgan Township High School and 5th grade teacher in Kouts since 2005, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on April 16, 2010. Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a blood cancer that settles in a person's lymphatic system. She has had a stem cell transplant and is continuing to fight this disease. She has helped so many, touched so many lives, and now she needs everyone's support so she can beat this just a little quicker.

Sponsors/Donations featured:

  • Free photo session and prints from Beth Fletcher Photography ($200 value)
  • Free on-location photo session from Aaron Brown Photography, including edited and licensed photo disk ($350 value)
  • Free photo session from His & Hers Photography with CD of 30 edited pics ($250 value)
  • Free photo session from Nichole Frank Photography with CD ($250 value)
  • 18k White Gold, Diamond and Amethyst ring from Engstrom Jewelers ($1,100 value)
  • 2 tickets for the venue at Horseshoe Casino to the event of your choice
  • Tickets to Wisecrackers comedy club, 5 tickets total ($20 value/ticket)
  • Glamour Hair Design complimentary cut and color with Beth Williams (up to $85 value)
  • CarTeks gift certificate ($50 value)
  • Meyer's Castle gift certificate ($50 value)
  • B&E Honda gift certificate ($25 value)
  • Silcott Shoes gift certificates ($25 value each)
  • Sheffield's gift certificate ($25 value)
  • Jalapeno's gift certificate (2 at $25 value)
  • Jake's Feed and Garden bird bath ($150 value)
  • Fazoli's gift card ($50 value)
  • Bon Femme Cafe gift card ($25 value)
  • 1 business card design and 1,000 cards from JWM Marketing ($300 value)
  • Gamba Ristorante gift card ($100 value)
  • Free photo session and disc with photos from Kari Freyenberger Photography
  • Starbucks gift card ($25 value) and gift basket
  • 8 tickets to the Drive’s 10th Birthday Concert featuring Jethro Tull & America (June 25th)
  • Gift basket of assorted goodies (small grill, grill tools, gift certif. for the steakhouse in the casino, etc) ($450 value)
  • BloomingNails gift card ($60) plus gift basket

Monetary donations from:

  • Wooten Financial Services
  • Spaulding Tire Service, Inc

Armbands will be available, free to each $10 donation, $5 for any additional. Samantha has a tattoo of a purple cancer ribbon that says "Trust your journey", the inspiration for the armbands.

Aaron Brown Photography has also given permission for two poster size photo prints (16x24) that will be thin wrapped (much better than typical frames), featuring Wrigley Field and a Beatles poster from South Korea. Once the bidder has won at the auction, the poster will be shipped straight to your home in a few weeks!

Michelle Pendergrass has also donated two beautiful paintings, one entitled "Believe Always" for the silent auction, a $350 value.

If you would like to donate or cannot make it, there is a benefit fund set up at 1st Source Bank. Checks can be sent to the bank, written out to "Samantha Uphold Benefit". If out of town, please email either Amber and let us know: Amber Ferguson at alynn7783@gmail.com or Amber Blastick at ambershambo@comcast.net

Check out more information on Facebook! Follow Samantha's journey on her blog!