By Navar Watson
In 2011, Angie Daniel moved to Hamilton County to help her sister, Stephenie Jocham, of Westfield, jumpstart the Christ Is My Big C foundation.
But three weeks later, Jocham died from sarcoma cancer, age 43. She had been diagnosed a year-and-a-half before, leaving behind two sons, Bryce and Kye.
“She had some crazy side effects,” Daniel said. “I’ve never seen anybody do it with such a smile and such a positive attitude. I think that is really what kept her going.”
Daniel spearheaded the foundation, and since Jocham’s death, CIMBC has raised $120,000 – distributing about $62,000 to cancer patients so far. As the years go on, however, finding support is more challenging.
“We’re just trying to make sure that we’re staying relevant,” Daniel said. “Unfortunately, the further away you are from when she passed, the less interest there is.”
In the beginning, the foundation hosted golf tournaments, a fashion show and 5K runs, with Daniel working as full-time, volunteer executive director. A district sales manager at Sysco foods and mother of two, she can only commit part-time now.
The foundation, however, still hosts the annual golf tournament at Sagamore Golf Club, set for Sept. 14.
Each year, about 100 to 130 golfers participate. This year, lunch is provided by McAlister’s Deli, and Sysco will provide dinner. Alcoholic beverages are also free, and participants have a chance to win prizes throughout the day.
Prizes range from $5,000 to a new car or flat screen television – all of which were donated.
Money toward the foundation directly helps cancer victims with financial needs, funding anything from gas cards to medical bills. Ironically, finances didn’t cause tremendous stress for Jocham, but she knew it did for other patients.
“It’s the one way that cancer didn’t impact her, yet that was what she chose to make the foundation about,” Daniel said. “It just speaks volumes about her personality.”
Jon Quick, president/owner of Q Public Relations and Marketing, befriended Jocham during his time at Emmis Communications. She was the first client for his PR agency.
“Stephenie would light up a room,” he said, and her personality showed through her career.
A family attorney, Jocham was a “pioneer” in the art of mediation, Quick said. She strived to prevent “ugliness” and fighting in the courtroom during divorce procedures.
More than 700 people attended Jocham’s funeral, Daniel said – a testament to how many lives she touched. Daniel said she feels like Jocham lives through her foundation.
Daniel hopes to see more fundraising events in the future, especially fashion shows, since the last one was a success. It featured Jocham’s son, Bryce, who plans to attend Indiana University this fall to study fashion design.
One of Daniel’s goals is for the foundation to become a self-sustaining entity, possibly providing for a paid executive director who has time to coordinate events.
She hopes one day CIMBC will be recognized among other Indiana foundations, like the Heroes Foundation – something Jocham would have loved to see.
“She dreamed of that foundation before she passed away. She wanted to do this,” Quick said. “Her spirit is being kept alive.”
For now, all focus in on the annual golf tournament, which is seeing a lower number of participants than usual, as well as raffle prize donations. Registration for the event is $750 per team.
Entries are due Aug. 28. For more information, visit christismybigc.org.
