HUGS Charities fundraiser will support local patients

Tom and Jennifer Ingram attended the 2023 HUGS fundraising event at Bank Street Patio Bar & Grill. Tom is this year’s cancer survivor honoree. [Submitted photo]

Heartfelt. Unconditional. Giving. That sums up HUGS Charities of Ocala.

The organization provides temporary assistance to people who are actively in treatment for a cancer diagnosis, reside in Marion County and are experiencing financial hardship.

HUGS is affiliated with the Cancer Alliance of Marion County, which identifies needs and coordinates efforts to improve navigation of healthcare systems, resources, programs and services for those affected by cancer locally.

For each of the last 14 years, HUGS Charities of Ocala has hosted a fundraiser in honor of a cancer survivor. The 15th annual event, which will take place Feb. 24, will honor longtime local banker Tom Ingram.

“I am a cancer survivor. I had a stage-two melanoma skin cancer on my back. Follow up PET scans uncovered a Sonoma tumor on my C1/C2 vertebrae. The tumor was not malignant, but complications from the surgery caused a spinal cord injury that left me unable to walk,” Ingram shared.

The complications of the surgery were traumatic indeed for Ingram, who enjoyed an athletic life. He was born in Gainesville but has lived in Ocala for the past 30 years. He graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he was captain of the water ski team and a cheerleader.

“During that time, we won Florida Southern’s first and only national championship in water skiing,” he said.

Ingram has been in the banking industry and has started four banks in Marion County, in addition to volunteering for numerous local organizations.

“I have spent a lot of time serving on many nonprofit boards in our community. I’ve been involved indirectly with HUGS for about 15 years. I had the privilege of introducing Albert Peek when he was the honored guest. We hosted many events at Gateway Bank for HUGS over the years,” Ingram offered.

Albert Peek Sr. founded an appraisal company, real estate firm, several investment companies and was a co-founder of the Country Club of Ocala. Even during his battles with glioblastoma and multiple myeloma he kept a positive spirit and a sign in his front yard that said, “Good morning, world!” He also was known to start his mornings by stepping outside and shouting “Good morning, world!” He passed away on Oct. 27, 2023, and many roadside “Good morning, world!” signs in his memory can still be seen all around Marion County.

When asked if he had any advice for those diagnosed with cancer, Ingram said, “First of all, I would highly encourage preventative checkups, whether it be a colonoscopy or regular visits to the dermatologist.”

“I was lucky that Dr. Katherine Holloway caught my skin cancer early and I was able to get treatment at Moffitt (Cancer Center) before it spread to other parts of my body. Hearing the ‘C’ word is terrifying, with so many unknowns. We are blessed with a great medical community that can treat cancer and provide financial support through organizations like HUGS. I can’t say enough about how the Ocala community helped me through this difficult time through prayers, encouragement and love and support,” Ingram offered.

“When you get the cancer diagnosis, your world stops and suddenly things that seemed important aren’t so much anymore,” Ingram recalled.

“We at HUGS are tremendously grateful to Tom Ingram for allowing us to honor him this year at our annual event. That gratitude extends to our second honoree, the Marion County Cancer Alliance, for their continued partnership and valuable support in the Marion County community,” said Kay Rains, HUGS President.

“We hold each donor in such high esteem for their generosity and look forward, in excitement, to the community’s partnership in fundraising this year. Last year we had the privilege to distribute $94,000 to cancer patients assisting with mortgages, rent, gas, utility bills and groceries. Thank you to all who support the event. Our financial success is attributed to you,” Rains added.

The HUGS Charities of Ocala fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at Bank Street Patio Bar & Grill, 120 E. Fort King St., Ocala. It will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, live music and a silent auction. All funds raised stay in Marion County to help local cancer patients. Tickets are $75.

For more information and tickets, go to hugscharities.org