The Ladies of the Keremeos Royal Purple recently donated $1,000 to support the campaign to bring better cancer care closer to home.

The donation was made in support of Giving Tuesday and the South Okanagan Medical Foundation's fundraising efforts to expand the oncology department at the Penticton Regional Hospital. 

Ian Lindsay, CEO of SOS Medical Foundation, found himself surrounded by a sea of purple last month when he accepted the cheque from the Keremeos Royal Purple Lodge.

The funds were raised through a variety of efforts, including catering, selling handmade items at craft fairs, organizing meat draws, baking sales at Pocket Park, garage sales, and a grant from Walmart.

In addition to supporting the Medical Foundation, the Keremeos Royal Purple has supported many others in the community including the Starfish program, a young swimmer aspiring to become an Olympian, the Foodbank, BC Family Hearing Resource Centre, and a $1,000.00 bursary to a graduating student from SESS.

Once a year Royal Purple week is celebrated by members venturing out into the community and promoting the Royal Purple.