Page 6 - Waterways - October '19

Page 6, Waterways
Komen Florida Launches ‘BigWigs On The Front Lines’

Six-Week Fundraising
Campaign Leading Up To

October’s Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

At Susan G. Komen
Florida, nothing is more
important than saving a
life. As the first call those
touched by breast cancer
make, the organization is
partnering with other first
responders and community Kate Watt Patricia Gardner Luke Pingleton Kassandra Placeres
leaders in a shared sense
of purpose through their and Officer Kassandra Placeres, as they add another While BigWigs are having fun, the reason they are
BigWigs on the Front Lines component to their already amazing reputation of being fundraising is that breast cancer continues to affect one
fundraising campaign from real-life superheroes. In addition to their day jobs, these in eight women at some point in their lifetime. Every
Sept. 16 to Oct. 25. BigWigs will be hard at work encouraging friends and two minutes, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed in
Community supporters colleagues to support their efforts by raising funds for the United States. This year alone 268,000 new cases of
interested in participating Chief Michael Gregory life-saving education, screening, and treatment services invasive breast cancer are anticipated to be diagnosed in
can join early registrants provided throughout Florida. women and 2,600 cases in men. With events such as these
Lt. Patricia Brown, Anne Todd, Beth Ann Pasquale, “These individuals risk their necks, and some their Komen Florida is able to make an incredible impact on
Matthew Goldstein, David Hubert, Eden Weiss, Chief lives, each and every day to protect and serve others,” increasing the current number of 3.8 million breast cancer
Michael Gregory, Luke Pingleton, Zachariah Merschdorf, said Kate Watt, Susan G. Komen Florida executive survivors living today.
Ben Durgan, Patricia Gardner, Shawntoia Bernard director. “They know first-hand the effects of a breast For more information on BigWigs on the Front Lines,
cancer diagnosis; many having experienced it through please visit at komenflorida.org/bigwigs, or contact Kelly
friends and family members. As the first responders to Lindsey at (561) 514-3020 or kelly@komenflorida.org
breast cancer, we have just a small taste of what they do with questions.
to help those in need. We are excited to join forces to About Susan G. Komen And Komen South Florida
create an impact in our community and to continue to Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer
help our friends and neighbors.” organization, funding more breast cancer research than
Fun is guaranteed in the BigWigs campaign with any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to
plenty of opportunities for friendly competition in those facing the disease. Komen Florida is working
communities across the state as competitors don their to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the
pink wigs while fundraising to help save lives. Each local community. Through events like the Komen South
participant is challenged to raise $1,000 or more to Florida Race for the Cure , Komen Florida has invested
®
support breast health programs and services in Florida, over $14 million in community breast health programs in
and along the way they will be treated to plenty of prizes, Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie counties
incentives, and opportunities to boast for the winners of and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million
top fundraiser, top team, most donors, or most creative invested globally in research. For more information, call
Matt Goldstein Pat Brown BigWigs campaign. (561) 514-3020 or visit www.komenflorida.org.