Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe - We're #1

Hi, my name is Casey and I'm the BIGGEST procrastinator EVER!!  I know, I know, I'm sorry!  I've always been a procrastinator and probably always will be!  Now that we've got that established, I have some great news...

 

Last November Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe not only had a blast participating in the Komen walk, but we were the top fundraising team!  BOOM!!  That's what I'm talking about! 

 Not only have I been wanting to officially announce that on my blog, but I have some pretty amazing thank you cards that if you haven't gotten one already, should be getting one soon (shout out to Courtney Mitchell Photography).  Anyway, I can't thank everyone enough who participated and who donated!  Another big thanks goes out to the Krewe's team captain... thanks Elizabeth!! 

 

So in April, Elizabeth and I attended a luncheon (hosted by Komen) that not only recognized us as the top fundraising team, but also announced the local organizations in the Austin area who will receive funds raised.  Let me tell you, being able to meet representatives from these organizations and also hear stories from woman who have benefited from these organizations and the funds raised... WOW!  It truly was inspiring to see how much our fundraising efforts helped members in our community!  WAY TO GO KREWE!

 

I'll be walking again in the this year's race and will also be participating in one way or another in the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride.  I'll be posting more details about this soon, but "The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride is a recreational bike ride to raise much needed funds for our central Texas neighbors coping with breast cancer. This festive event saves and improves lives by supporting 10 local nonprofit organizations providing diagnosis, counseling, medication, and support for thousands of our neighbors coping with breast cancer. Since our inaugural year in 2009, the Mamma Jamma Ride has raised an astounding $1,000,000!."

 

Stayed tuned for more details, but until then I'd like to share Komen's April 2012 announcement of the local healthcare organizations community grants...

KOMEN AUSTIN AWARDS LOCAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY GRANTS

April 12, 2012

The Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it will grant over $1.4 million this year, providing more than one $1 million in funds to local organizations in the Austin area and more than $400,000 to national research efforts.

Local non-profit healthcare organizations will implement breast cancer prevention, treatment and education programs for the uninsured and underinsured men and women in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Hays and Bastrop counties.

"This year 1,068 individuals in our five counties are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer," said Christy Casey-Moore, executive director of the Komen Austin Affiliate. "We must continue to do everything in our power to make sure our community has access to care and resources related to breast health and breast cancer, especially those that live in the margins with limited means "

All applicants that are legally operating providers are thoroughly reviewed by an anonymous grant review panel and selected based on the service gaps identified in our Community Profile, a research study published every two years. Local grants are distributed by the organization’s ability to implement projects that specifically address evidence-based strategies and programs to reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality for those disproportionately affected by the disease in the Austin Affiliate's 5-county service area.

The 2012-2013 Austin Affiliate local grantees include:

• Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas
• CommuniCare Health Centers
• Community Action Inc. of Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco Counties
• Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled
• National Center for Farmworker Health
• Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region
• Samaritan Health Ministries
• The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas
• The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
• Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing

About the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
We live here. We race here. We save lives here.

One out of eight women here in the Austin area will have to fight breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s why, since 1999, the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been hard at work here in the Austin area raising money to provide breast cancer screening, education and medical services as well as financial and emotional support. In fact, up to 75 percent of the money we raise each year is put to work right here in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties to improve the lives of everyone affected by this deadly disease. The remaining funds go to national research to find a cure for breast cancer once and for all. For more information about the organization, please visit www.komenaustin.org.