Vinton County cancer research catfish tournament rescheduled for Aug. 1

Vinton County Cancer Research’s Bink Fox Catfish Tournament is set for Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gallipolis Boat Ramp. The rescheduled fundraiser keeps the same format local catfish teams have come to expect: a $100 entry fee covers up to a three-person team, 75 percent of the pot goes back out, and first-, second- and third-place Big Fish prizes are on the line.

Raffles and a 50/50 drawing are also part of the event, giving anglers and donors a second chance to support the tournament if they missed the original schedule. Earlier tournaments drew 85 boats, and a 2025 edition brought 77 boats after being delayed by high winds.

Vinton County Cancer Research Group is a volunteer 501(c)(3) that helps county residents who must travel for cancer treatment and appointments. Its assistance includes gas cards and grocery cards for families dealing with the cost and time of treatment outside the county.

Support is available regardless of income, as long as residents can show proof of county residence and appointments. For trips under 30 miles, it provides one $25 gas card and one $25 grocery card per month for one appointment, or two $25 gas cards and one $25 food card per month for multiple appointments. For trips greater than 31 miles, the support increases to one $50 gas card and one $25 grocery card per month for one appointment, or two $50 gas cards and one $25 grocery card per month for multiple appointments.

Vinton County Cancer Research Group's website lists Vinton County's cancer incidence rate from 2016 to 2020 at 502 per 100,000, compared with 465.3 in Ohio and 438.7 nationwide.