The 10th annual Cultivating a Cure, an event created to support cancer treatment and prevention research, raised more than $90,000 in support of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute during its first-ever virtual event held Aug. 16.

Cultivating a Cure was started in 2011 by former Ohio Farm Bureau President Brent Porteus and his daughters, Amy and Beth, to support their passion for breast cancer research, cancer prevention. It honors Debbie Porteus, the Porteuses’ wife and mother, and all of those who have or who are battling cancer. Since its inception, Cultivating a Cure has raised almost $750,000.

“It’s amazing to see the power the agricultural community has by coming together with our partners at OSU, The James and Nationwide,” says Frank Burkett III, OFB president. “Ohio Farm Bureau has been proud to be a part of this event from the very beginning. Nothing speaks to our mission of advancing agriculture and strengthening our communities like Cultivating a Cure does.”

The virtual event, hosted by Charlie and Casey Ellington, OFB’s Young Ag Professionals state committee co-chairs, included personal stories about courageous battles against cancer from OFB trustees Mike Boyert and Nathan Brown, as well as a message from oncologist Dr. Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, who cared for Debbie Porteus through her fight with cancer.

Guests also heard from Brent Porteus; Cathann Kress, OSU vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; and Judit Puskas, a professor in the OSU Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

Professor shares information on her cancer research

Throughout her career, Puskas' efforts have helped raise almost $15 million for cancer research. She shared information about her research on integrating cancer treatment with breast reconstruction.

This year’s Cultivating a Cure also included a special VIP experience, which included an on-screen, interactive session with OSU’s Urban Meyer, assistant director of athletics; Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation endowed athletics director; Kress; and Kristina M. Johnson, OSU president-elect.

The virtual event can be viewed in its entirety below on the Cultivating a Cure YouTube channel. 

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is already working on details for the 11th Cultivating a Cure. Next year, the event will go back to its roots to the same location as the inaugural event, Porteus Farms in Coshocton County. Learn more at ofbf.org.

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