Hunters Who Help

The author, himself an avid bowhunter, has been an occasional contributor to this magazine for several decades.

Arnold S. "Doc" Leonard is a serious Minnesota bowhunter. He's also a talented surgeon waging an ongoing personal war against the deadly effects of cancer in children. Here's what he and some fellow hunters are doing to save young lives.

DR. ARNOLD S. LEONARD, M.D., Ph.D., is a very passionate -- and compassionate -- man. Passionate about his own family and friends. Passionate about a favorite pasture, bowhunting. Passionate about his life's chosen work as a thoracic and pediatric surgeon. Passionate about his ongoing role directing immunotherapy cancer research at the University of Minnesota, where he serves as a clinical professor.

And Dr. Leonard is especially compassionate when it comes to caring for all children afflicted with cancer. Frequently he has donated his considerable surgical talents to save a sick child's life. In truth, if Doc has his way, he'll help to bring about the end of this deadly disease. Forever, In his lifetime. Meanwhile, as the frustrating search for a cancer cure continues, he carries on his individual campaign to salvage as many lives as is humanly possible.

Because of his involvement and passionate determination in the battle against cancer, Doc has earned the respect and support of a growing army of sportsmen and women in the Twin Cities area. For the past seven years, Minnesota hunters and their guests have come together for a shotgun shoot and dinner each March to raise the funds that support Doc's university-based cancer research activities.

Last March 15, for example, over $135,000 were raised during the annual Arnold S. Leonard Cancer Research Fund Shoot at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club near Prior Lake. That impressive one-day figure boosted the seven-year fund-raising total to approximately $2 million generated for Doc and his kids!

"These funds are extremely important to our research activities," Dr. Leonard explained. "Our basic work is in boosting the immune system to be naturally more effective in killing the tumor cells. The funds are utilized for pilot projects as well as the continuance of our basic work. Pilot project funds are most important and necessary because the National Cancer Institute does not give out funds for initial research. Over the past seven years, we have made significant advances with the funds that were accumulated from this activity."

Not surprisingly, Doc and his research team have received several prestigious and well-deserved awards for their research work from both the American College of Surgeons and the University of Minnesota. But much more hard work remains. And no one -- especially Doc Leonard -- will be satisfied until a cancer cure is found.

Spearheaded by veteran bowhunter Rob Evans, who originated the idea for this unique fund-raiser, the annual event taps manufacturers, dealers, and individuals to provide a wealth of quality sporting goods products for use as raffle prizes and live auction items. Rob and his corps of willing volunteers organize and coordinate the special day-long event. Past cooperation has been excellent -- and participation is growing annually. Among those listed on the 1999 Cancer Shoot contributors' sheet were a number of names quite familiar to bowhunters: Cabela's, Mossy Oak, Realtree, Darton, Wildlife Research, Hoyt, Browning, PSE, Golden Eagle/Satellite, Mathews, ScentLok, Arrow Dynamics, Bodoodle, Barrie Archery, Bushnell, Shannon Outdoors, LaCrosse Boots, Double Bull Archery, Atsko Sno Seal, Muzzy, Whitewater Outdoors, Primos, Martin Archery, Crooked Creek, Old Man Tree Stands, Morrell Targets, and Creative Publishing Hunting & Fishing Library, as well as a host of other notable outdoor companies.

Guests at the '99 gathering included M. R. James from Bowhunter, John Sloan from Bow & Arrow Hunting, and Mike Strandlund from Bowhunting World. One special guest was noted whitetail bowhunter Myles Keller, himself a Minnesota native. It was Keller and Minnesota artist Matt LaCosse who worked together to create an original painting entitled "Busted," which is currently on display at Cabela's new Owatonna, Minnesota facility. Raffle tickets for this valuable artwork currently are being sold to help generate funds for the 2000 Cancer Research Fund Shoot. The original painting will be presented to some lucky ticket holder next spring. Meanwhile, any visitor to the Cabela's store may purchase raffle tickets and a chance to win the painting for only $1 each -- directly helping Doc Leonard and his research staff in their ongoing battle against cancer.

Addressing the Minnesota group gathered for the '99 fund-raising dinner, M. R. James said: "Local hunter-haters raise lots of money to generate propaganda designed to turn the public against us and take away our right to hunt. Local hunters support Doc Leonard and his efforts by raising lots of money to help find a cure for cancer. I don't know about you, but at times like this I'm especially proud to be a hunter."

The 8th Annual Arnold S. Leonard fund-raising event is slated for Monday, March 13, 2000. For additional information, or to send your personal donation, contact: Rob Evans, The Minnesota Medical Foundation, University of Minnesota Hospitals, Fund #8203, 420 Delaware St. N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (Tax ID #41- 602170 and License #501-3C).

COPYRIGHT 1999 PRIMEDIA Special Interest Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group