July 2017

Have You Been Challenged to the Power of 8? - by Bob Iezzi, Board President

Has anyone ever called you a BIG WIG? Have you been challenged to the Power of 8?

Well, consider yourself challenged because we think you are a very special BIG WIG!  Komen Kentucky (also serving So. Indiana) has launched a fun and exciting challenge to raise money for breast cancer research, programs, and services.

We invite you to join the fun, but most importantly, let’s get this going viral... our goal is to be the largest BIG WIG EVER! It only takes two quick steps:

1) GET YOUR PINK ON - Put on something PINK - a pink wig, hat, boa, scarf, or whatever you have, and take a picture or video of yourself being silly (or serious) challenging 8 friends to join you in making a donation to Komen Kentucky at BigWigKy.org.

(Why 8? – Because 1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.)

2) MAKE IT GO VIRAL - Post your challenge to 8 friends, coworkers, relatives, etc. on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or send a text or email, challenging them to make a donation by going to BigWigKy.org  Whether you and your friends each donate $1, $5, or $100, every donation makes a difference and is GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Please check out BigWigKy.org to see the community BIG WIGS who have already so graciously agreed to raise $10,000 each for Komen Kentucky.

Whether you raise $10 or $10,000, we'd love to have you involved. 

Komen Kentucky is proud to have Delta Dental of Kentucky as our presenting sponsor, as well as our other BIG WIG sponsors: WHAS 11,  Red Tag Digital, Buzz Advertising, iHeart Media and OUTFRONT Media. Special thanks to all of our Community Leader Big Wigs for giving their time, and pledging to raise $10,000.  We appreciate you showing WHAT PINK MAKES POSSIBLE.

Make a difference... Make a donation today!

Best regards,

Bob Iezzi

SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT 

Sheena Fugett

Last year was a difficult year for Air Force veteran Sheena Fugett. First, the employee of the Louisville Metro Police department discovered she had stage III HER2-positive breast cancer. Then, a few months later, the chemotherapy "cocktail" her doctor prescribed to shrink her tumor caused her to lose her hair and damaged her heart. Luckily, it had done its primary job, too, allowing her to have a lumpectomy versus a full mastectomy. After that came an emergency appendectomy, and a divorce. She said that while she was in the middle of it all, she couldn't talk about it because it sent her to tears.

But at a recent Race for the Cure meeting at Chuy's with other breast cancer survivors, Sheena wasn't crying when she told her story. In fact, she found that she could actually laugh and smile about her trials. "If there are tears now," she stated, "they are tears of thankfulness... I'm thankful that I made it through and am a stronger person because of it. The cancer helped me appreciate all the small things that I hadn't noticed."

She agreed to share her story with our readers in hopes that it may help someone who is having their own tough time. "Breast cancer doesn't just affect your breast. It affects EVERYTHING about you - mentally and physically. It took its toll, but my son, my support system, and the prayers of my church family helped me push through it. Now that I am on the other side of it, I can look back and see how my faith grew stronger and how things seem a lot easier to handle."

Women like Sheena are the inspiration for the work we do at Komen Kentucky and why we Race for the Cure in October.  We hope you will join us by organizing a team of your own and helping us raise money for breast cancer research, programs, and services. 

*If you are willing to share your Survivor story to provide hope and encouragement to others battling the disease, please contact us. We can help write it. The stories and pictures collected may be used in our monthly eNewsletter, on our website, and/or in SGKK educational or marketing materials.

RACE FOR THE CURE

Registration Discount

Register for the 2017 Races today and use the discount code TEAM2017 to save $5 off your entry fee until the end of July.

Louisville, Saturday, October 14 at Louisville Slugger Field
Lexington, Saturday, October 21 at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza

Donate and Win!

New this year - every Race for the Cure participant who makes a SELF-DONATION of $25 or more to either Race (Louisville or Lexington) will be entered into a drawing for 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles (one winner for each Race). The miles may be used for most main cabin roundtrip tickets within the 48 contiguous states or for gift cards to retailers such as Macy's, Target, Sears, and Home Depot. Every increment of $25 will get you an additional entry; so if you donate $50, you'll be entered twice, $100= four entries, etc. Drawings will be held at 1:30pm December 4, 2017. American Airlines is a national Race for the Cure sponsor.

Race Planning Committees

If you would like to get more involved in the event, we invite you to join one of our Race committees: 

To join the Lexington Race Committee, please contact Ally (859.368.7133). The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 11, 5:30pm at the Komen Kentucky satellite office, 207 N. Upper St., Ste. D, Lexington.

To join the Louisville Race Committee, please contact Lynn (502.495.7824). The next meeting will be on Monday, July 24, 5:30pm at the Komen Kentucky main office, 1201 Story Ave., Ste. 205, Louisville.

Komen Kentucky Partnerships

Komen Kentucky is fortunate to have many partnerships throughout the state. If your company would like to be featured, like those listed here, please contact us.

If you are ready to get a new car and don't know what to do with your old one, or had a wreck and need to find a spot to take the damaged one, Komen Cars is here to help! Contact us at 1-855-566-3622 during normal business hours or online anytime. We will send a tow truck at no cost to you (if needed) to pick up your old car and take it to auction. You will get a valuable tax write-off and Komen Kentucky will get funds to support its mission.

The Bourbon Chase, a 200-mile relay race across Kentucky has selected Komen Kentucky as a beneficiary partner.  The lottery for entry into the race has closed, but if you want to enter a 12-person team for the event on October 13-14, you can still participate by electing to run on behalf of Komen.  For more information, contact Ally in the Lexington office (859.368.7133).  

Upcoming Events

JULY 21 - Thank you to Kendra Scott (120 Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington)!  They will be hosting a special night for Komen Kentucky from 5-7pm. You are invited to "enjoy sips, sweets and jewels." 20% of the proceeds will benefit SGKK. If you cannot attend, but still want to participate, use this form.

AUGUST 12 - Lexington Legends Pink out the Park, 6:35pm. Come out to the ballpark for a celebration of survivors and their families. Survivors will walk onto the infield and release pink balloons before the game against the Charleston RiverDogs. After the balloon release, catch nine innings of exciting Legends baseball as the team wears special Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys that will be raffled off during the game.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Komen became the organization it is today through the hard work and generosity of many dedicated volunteers, donors and corporate partners. If you are looking to get involved in a meaningful cause, Komen Kentucky would love for you to get involved with us!

VOLUNTEER - Komen Kentucky has recently started emailing a monthly Volunteer Update that lists volunteer needs for the upcoming month. If you would like to be added to that subscriber list, please click here and check "Volunteer Information and Opportunities."  

A Volunteer Training session is planned for our Louisville office on Tuesday, August 15, 5:30-6:30pm. We will share information about Komen Kentucky, breast cancer, and upcoming volunteer needs. Contact Richelle to register (502.495.7824)

If you are part of a group looking for service hours, please contact us! We have a number of projects that would be great for student or volunteer groups.

COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT - If you want to get more involved in the planning and implementation of SGKK's signature events (Races for the Cure and Galas), contact the Louisville or Lexington office to sign up for a committee. 

SPONSOR - If your company or organization would like to get marketing exposure while giving back to the community, please consider becoming a sponsor of one (or more!) of SGKK's signature events. For more information, contact Lynn in the Louisville office, Ally in the Lexington office or download a sponsor booklet today.

DONATE - Many people know that 25% of Komen Kentucky's net revenue goes toward global breast cancer research while the other 75% goes to support LOCAL breast cancer screenings, treatment services, education, and support programs, but they may not be aware of all the different ways they can donate to us:

- Sign up to have a team in the Race for the Cure and raise funds as a group. (Individual registrants are welcome, too!)

- Host a fundraiser/awareness event at your home, office, neighborhood, or school. Barbecues, picnics, penny wars, dress down days, pool parties, candy bar sales, car washes, etc. have all been used as effective ways to raise both awareness about breast cancer and funds for the cause. Contact Lynn in the Louisville office or Ally in the Lexington office.

- Donate online - you can make a one-time gift or schedule monthly gifts using our online giving platform.

- Consider adding Komen Kentucky to your estate plans or asking your family to designate Komen Kentucky as the recipient of memorial gifts, when applicable.

- Help us raise additional donations by offering a challenge grant! Help double your impact by encouraging others to match your donation. This would be wonderful as we near the Give For Good Louisville campaign and the Louisville and Lexington Races for the Cure.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Consider inviting Komen into your church/place of worship for a "Worship in Pink" or "Pink the Pews" event where a short message about breast cancer awareness is shared and breast cancer survivors are recognized. Contact the office for more information. A number of churches/places of worship also create Race teams to build fellowship and show community support.