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Although Alki resident Tracy Dart was the official recipient, the 200-plus attendees at the "We Heart Tracy Dart" fundraiser also benefited Sunday night at the Bridge Bar & Restaurant as a shared feeling of well-wishing seemed to fill the room.

A breast cancer advocate and survivor, Ms. Dart is known to be a tireless, almost iconic fundraiser in West Seattle for the cause, including the Susan G. Komen walks and Northwest Hope & Healing annual fashion shows. Other area survivors are quick to credit Dart with holding their hand through their own ordeal.

This time the tables were turned and supporters gave to her. Her friend, event organizer Lisa Dawson, also of Alki, told the West Seattle Herald that donations were closing in on the $6,000 mark with people still quietly handing her checks made out to Tracy Dart.

You can read our updated story leading up to the benefit here:

Dozens of raffle prizes were awarded and winners announced by emcee and longtime Mariners broadcaster, Tom Hutlyer, who resides near South Seattle Community College. Someone in the audience suggested raising some extra cash in the crowd with the reward of hearing Hutlyer give his trademark announcement, which he did, of Ken Griffey, Jr., which he stretched into about a 15 second drawn-out "phrase."

"I know Tracy from about five years ago and we have become friends," Hutlyer told the West Seattle Herald. "I just have always kept her in my prayers for all the problems she's had before. I'm very disappointed to hear that it's come back again but confident that with everyone's love and support and prayers here tonight that it will be conquered again."

Host Brian Bell, co-founder of the West Seattle Funblog and also a local resident, had Ms. Dart shave his thick curly hair in front of the crowd on a dare as a fundraising devise. Many agreed he looked pretty sharp with with the all his curls huddled in a pile on the stage floor.

"It feels refreshing and much cooler in here now," Bell told the Herald post-shaven. "I feel a bond with Tracy. She didn't have a choice. That's pretty much how it had to be for her. This was the least I can do. Why the hell not? It will grow back. It's something I can do."

In her speech Tracy Dart was frank and direct and said that such gatherings like these often take place in the form of memorials once someone has passed away.

"I'm here living and breathing, and get to see your love and encouragement," she said. "You're helping me fight this battle and I thank you for being here (...) To get through this it takes a village and people have no idea what kind of village West Seattle is (...) Seeing you come out in numbers like this tonight shows me that you're not wanting to let a friend go. Breast cancer has touched so many people and I have friends here tonight going through what I'm going through and the fact that they're here supporting me is an amazing gift. You guys are the people helping to keep me going so thank you very much."

Those interested can still donate to the "We Heart Tracy Dart Benefit" by visiting:

http://wehearttracydart.com/ where there is a "donate" button on the right side of the page.