We are dedicated to raising funds to support organizations whose purpose is cancer prevention, eliminating suffering, and saving lives through research, education, and service.
The Hillcrest Committee is a nonprofit organization comprised of 50 women members. It was formed in 1946 by Nan Day when she was asked to head the first unit of the American Cancer Society in Jackson County. Today, we operate as an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Our annual Holiday Ball is a season favorite and the primary fundraising event. Theme parties are auctioned off at the Holiday Ball. These parties are then held throughout the year and range from an intimate soiree to large paddle parties. Hillcrest Committee members volunteer their time and talents and donate food to provide the auction winners with an unsurpassed party experience.
Original pen and ink drawing of the Hillcrest House by Frank Rinna, a local artist and husband of Lois Rinna. Lois is an Excalibur member of the Hillcrest Committee. Frank passed away in 2016.
Gay Twenties Tea - unknown,
Monie Bartels and Blanche Frisbie 1958
The Hillcrest Committee was formed in 1946 by Nan Day. She was asked to head the first unit of the American Cancer Society in Jackson County, Oregon. She asked for newcomers to Medford and physicians’ wives to work with her. The group’s first activity was to send letters and educational materials to everyone listed in the telephone book, and to solicit funds for the American Cancer Society.
Jack and Nancy Day
Hillcrest Cocktail Party (1980)
Hostesses: Lorrie Wilson, Hazel Buck,
and Frannie Harrington
When the group realized that more members were needed and other fund raising was necessary, a Silver Tea was planned at Hillcrest Orchard House. It proved a popular event, however the collection of “silver” in quarters and dimes did not satisfy the committee’s goals. Other activities were added to the annual Silver Tea, such as fashion shows, table setting contests, wine tastings and jewelry shows. Most of these events took place at Hillcrest House. To this day Nan Day’s family, the Parsons of Seattle, generously donates the occasional use of the Hillcrest House for our committee’s activities.
Hillcrest Women (January 2017)
Eventually a larger board of women and men formed the Jackson County Unit of the American Cancer Society. However the Hillcrest Committee remained a separate entity and in 2013 became a legally incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation–The Southern Oregon Foundation Supporting a Cure for Cancer, DBA Hillcrest Committee. Today the fifty members of the Hillcrest Committee continue to raise funds to fulfill the mission of the organization: to financially support organizations whose purpose is prevention of cancer, saving lives and eliminating suffering from cancer, and/or research, education and service related to cancer.
Each year the Hillcrest Committee donates money to the Southern Oregon chapter of Sparrow Clubs USA.
Learn More >
Each year the Hillcrest Committee receives cancer research grant proposals from OHSU
Learn More >
We are honored to donate funds to local organizations supporting people with cancer in the Rogue Valley.
Learn More >
