Krejci honored for cancer work in BP
Cheri Krejci, left, of Blooming Prairie receives the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award at National Philanthropy Day in Rochester last week. Joining her was Brenna Gerhart, who has been nominated as the 2027 president-elect of the group who hosted the award.
A longtime cancer survivor and advocate for fighting the often-deadly disease has been awarded a top honor.
Cheri Krejci of Blooming Prairie received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award at the National Philanthropy Day in Rochester last week. The annual event is hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Krejci was selected by a group of community members to receive the prestigious award for her hard work with the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group. After many years of service, Krejci stepped down from the group last year and has relinquished her duties partly to her daughter, Lindsey French, who is now president of the BP group.
Austin-based Hormel Institute, which provides cutting edge cancer research, nominated Krejci for the honor.
“We’re so proud to live and work in a community where everyone comes together in the fight against cancer and helps support research done locally,” the Hormel Institute posted on its Facebook.
The BP Cancer Group has raised more than $1 million for the Eagles Cancer Telethon over the past 20 years. During that time, the group has expanded its giving by partnering with the Hormel Institute for cancer research and beginning the Community Fund, which offers money to families afflicted by cancer for daily necessities like gas and groceries.
Prior to her stepping down, Krejci led the cancer auctions every fall in Blooming Prairie for many years.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, about six weeks after her mom passed away from cancer. Her mother lived nine years after she first learned about her condition. Krejci’s father lived only a month after he was diagnosed with cancer.