Breaking News, SJ/C Foundations News
24th Candler Clays was another record success for St. Joseph's/Candler cancer care
Charity clay shoot nets $313,514 for Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
The 24th Annual Candler Clays Charity Shoot and Auction once again raised a record amount, bringing in $313,514. The funds provide ongoing and critical support to St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations’ Advancements in Cancer Care initiatives across Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head and surrounding regions.
Notably, $145,050 of the amount will go directly to oncology nurse navigation services offered by the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler.
The Pavilion’s Director of Infusion and Supportive Services, Bobbie Jean Curkovic, called the Nurse Navigators a steady voice among the chaos of a cancer diagnosis. She said they are the angels that guide, educate, advocate and assist with everything from translating medical jargon into human language and coordinating appointments to overcoming treatment barriers.
Pictured Above: Vernice Rackett, Youlia Bolgan, Gretchen Chamberlain, Caroline Berry Emily Cameron, Lauren Novack, Dennis Reed, Raymond Singletary, Jenny Price and Caroline Gregory
President & CEO of St. Joseph's/Candler Paul P. Hinchey congratulated the Foundations team and Candler Clays Committee on yet another successful event. He said, “Their efforts as well as the generous support of our donors and sponsors will continue to connect fellow community members to the latest innovations in cancer care and treatment. It is truly wonderful to see people come together every year in support of their neighbors and friends for this fun event that makes such a huge impact here at home.”
St. Joseph's/Candler Foundations Executive Director Vernice Rackett also expressed gratitude to the sponsors and committee as well as Candler Clays’ enthusiastic volunteers. “Year after year, there is a true sense of family with all our supporters. This is grounded in the desire to assist our patients’ needs to enable them to focus on feeling better.”
More about the event
The Candler Clays two-day event took place February 20 and 21. The annual fundraiser combines a charity auction of items donated by local merchants and a clay shooting competition held at the Forest City Gun Club. Since its inception two decades ago, Candler Clays has raised over $3 million for the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.
Many generous sponsors contributed to Candler Clays, including the returning presenting sponsor JE Dunn Construction, the Mingledorff Family as platinum sponsor, and Batson Associates and the Kicklighter Company as gold sponsors.
Pictured Above: St. Joseph's/Candler Foundations Executive Director Vernice Rackett, Candler Clay’s Honoree DeDe Cargill and St. Joseph's/Candler President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey
Each year the event honors a survivor or memorializes someone who died of cancer. This year’s honoree was survivor DeDe Cargill. Diagnosed in 2004 with advanced colon cancer, she had immediate surgery and then returned home several weeks later. She also began a clinical trial for a new chemotherapy regimen.
During her 12 rounds of chemotherapy, DeDe read about St. Joseph’s/Candler distributing pedometers to employees to encourage exercise. Determined to fight back against treatment side effects, she began walking daily—eventually reaching 10,000 steps a day and even walking to her chemo appointments.
In her Candler Clay's dinner speech, Cargill recalled receiving treatments at Candler Hospital while watching the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion rise across the street. She would go on to be a patient and serve as a volunteer in the facility. She also helped start a local version of the national Get Your Rear in Gear 5k run/walk to raise funds for colon cancer screenings and prevention efforts in the Lowcountry. The 5k takes place this year on March 28, starting off at the Pavilion.
Clay Shoot Winners
Top Male: Andrew Drought – 50
Top Female: Jane Brown – 45
Top Male Youth Chaz Palmer – 50
Top Female Youth Nora Lynes – 43
1st place team: Benedictine Cadets (sponsored by Critz Auto Group), represented by Matthew Boyer, Jacob Butler, Chip Klein and Alex Ray
2nd place: Parker’s
Lewis B: Sponsored by Anne and Jimmy Porter, represented by Jimmy Porter, Stephanie Porter, John Porter III and Michael Bone
Lewis C: Draffin & Tucker
St. Joseph’s/Candler would like to thank and recognize the 2026Candler Clays Committee:
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About the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations
The St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations support vital clinical programs, assist in the purchase of cutting-edge medical technology and enhance outreach programs designed to keep people in our community healthy. This important educational component helps our community be more proactive about their health and disease management.
Our current initiative, Advancing Excellence: Touching Lives, includes projects to enhance the patient experience by supporting the following areas of St. Joseph’s/Candler:
- Advancements at St. Joseph’s Hospital, including emergency department expansion and The Heart Hospital.
- Advancements in Cancer Care at the Nancy N. and J. C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.
- Enhancements at the Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital.
- Wellness Education and Community Outreach.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.sjchs.org/foundations