Charities in the West Point area will share $150,000 because an annual fundraiser that supports cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center was held in the area this year.

The 2011 Cattlemen's Ball raised a total of nearly $1.5 million,
and the event always donates 10 percent of the proceeds to local
health and wellness programs.

The money will be split between 36 different groups in the West
Point area, including local fire departments and nursing homes.

Last year, just more than $1 million was raised by the 2010
event in Kearney. Since its inception, the Cattlemen's Ball has
raised more than $6.29 million.

The 2012 ball is scheduled for June 1-2 at McCool Junction.