THOMASVILLE- Sav’s Crack at a Cure, a Mahjong and social fundraising event, will be held on Saturday, January 11th, from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Biscuit Company in downtown Thomasville. The event will be held in honor of Saville Sullivan Larkin to raise money for the Knox Martin Foundation (KMF) for brain cancer research.

The KMF raises money to fund research at the Duke Brain Tumor Center in hopes of advancing research and clinical trials for aggressive forms of brain cancer.

KMF was created in February of 2021 to work closely with the Duke University cancer research facilities to fully fund clinical trials and research toward a cure,” Grace-Marie Howard, Crack at a Cure’s event coordinator, said. “They have fully funded three clinical trials so far. After this past Giving Tuesday, they surpassed a total of raising over $1 million toward Duke Cancer Research,” Howard continued.

Saville was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant brain cancer in 2016 at 19 years old. At the time, she was starting her sophomore year at the University of Alabama. She passed in October 2023 after her courageous 7-year battle.

“The Sullivans, her family, really want to work toward raising money for research,” Howard said. The Mahjong tournament came about because we felt like it would be a fun way to bring a positive spin on awareness around something that’s kind of heavy,” Howard continued.

Mahjong’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past year. Although Saville did not play Mahjong, she enjoyed playing games and always wanted her friends and family to come together to celebrate no matter the occasion.

“You always knew when Saville was there. She was just all about fun and being social. Even to the point when she was not feeling well, it did not matter,” Howard said.

Regardless of where she was in her battle or life, Saville continued to inspire others with her strength and will to live life to its fullest. The Mahjong tournament, followed by the silent auction, will be held to honor Saville and raise money for the KMF.

“It’s on Saville’s birthday weekend. She loved a Saturday morning drive. She loved a day party. She loved to have her friends and her family in one room together,” Howard said.

The KMF funds research on the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Many positive results and strides have been made with the money raised.

“All of that money is going to have a direct impact. They do the science. They are in those labs doing the work, and it’s an actual visible change that we can see,” Howard said.

Mahjong-playing guests can purchase a player ticket for $125 or a table for four players for $600. Non-playing attendees can purchase a social ticket for $75. Once the Mahjong tournament is completed, guests will enjoy refreshments, food and a silent auction. Player tickets must be purchased by January 6th, while social tickets are available for purchase until January 11th. To purchase tickets, visit: https://knoxmartinfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/79003-sav-s-crack-at-a-cure?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3625316