Of all the great circus attractions, the dunk tank might be the best one ever to hit the lot. It’s a place where folks can share their true feelings. In less than 15 minutes, participants can show friends, loved ones, enemies and frenemies how they really feel without relying on something so clunky as an “honest conversation.” It’s also, without fail, a lot of fun.
There’s nothing fun about pancreatic cancer. It’s the third leading cause of annual cancer-related deaths in the United States and has one of the lowest survival rates.
For Troy Karnes, local writer, cancer survivor and semiprofessional carnival barker, running an annual event where people dunk their friends and raise money for pancreatic cancer research has been a great success. This September 27, Dunk for a Cure will return for its fourth Colorado iteration. From 12 to 4 p.m., Karnes will host the bash on Improper City’s main patio, introducing those who have already signed up to get dunked, and encouraging bystanders to join in. “And yes, I get dunked,” said Karnes.
Every bit of the funds raised at Dunk for a Cure goes to the FCSP Foundation. Banners around the event read Fight Cancer, Stay Positive, but outside of polite company, organizers still refer to it by its original, more-deliberate name, Fuck Cancer, Stay Positive. Founded in 2019, the FCSP Foundation serves in memory of Geoff Shudtz, a friend of Karnes’ who died of pancreatic cancer that same year. It continues to be run by Shudtz’s widow, sister, mom and friends, who put on yearly Dunk for a Cure events in Richmond, Washington, D.C., Cincinnati and Baltimore. Many of them fly out each year for the one in Denver.
Karnes says that the events have helped him with the grieving process, and that the sunny theatrics still nicely attend to the situation’s inherent weight. “The sad feelings don’t go away, but this is a good-time event. And we’re serving something bigger than ourselves,” he said. “It’s the stay positive in Fuck Cancer, Stay Positive.” Since 2019, the foundation has raised over $1 million for pancreatic cancer research.
The majority of funds allocated to Lustgarten, a nonprofit and the country’s single biggest donor to pancreatic cancer research. “We partner with them because they are current on all of the research and clinical trials,” said Karnes.
While on-site donations are certainly encouraged, the majority of the money is raised ahead of time by people who sign up to get dunked. Anyone who has ever participated in a walk or race for a cause will recognize the format. Though Dunk for a Cure is decidedly no-frills. Organizers can easily reproduce the event with limited volunteers. “We decided to keep the footprint small, so we could give as much money as we possibly can to research,” said Karnes. With just over a month until the dunking begins, it’s not too late to join the roster.
With each year, Karnes seems to grow more optimistic. There have already been exciting breakthroughs made from projects Lustgarten helped fund. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is up from 9 to 13 percent. The community engagement, fundraising and hours spent building the FCSP Foundation seem to be paying off. What’s more fun than that?
Dunk for a Cure will be held on September 27 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Improper City, located at 3201 Walnut Street #107, Denver.
Photos courtesy of Troy Karnes.
