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Hey All! If you know me, you know that I'm no stranger to wearing bright colors (I look GREAT in pink!), but this month, I'm doing it for an AMAZING cause - in support of Susan G. Komen as a Pink Tie Guy! Though breast cancer primarily affects women, us guys are taking an active role this month to help promote awareness and raise donation (and, hopefully, to look good in the process).
Breast cancer plays an outsized role in society - 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their life! Because of that, we are all likely one degree of separation from someone who has battled the disease - a mother, a sister, a close friend, etc. Susan G. Komen raises and distributes funds to attack the problem from all sides - providing funds for research for finding the cures, leveraging donations so that women have access to costly diagnosis and care, providing support to women that are dealing with the unexpected costs of a breast cancer diagnosis (including impacts to their ability to maintain jobs during the battle). Hopefully, these funds can get us to a place where we can end breast cancer for good. That's a cause I can get behind!
A Pink Tie?
The pink ribbon is a symbol of the fight against breast cancer, so you'll see me wearing my pink tie in support over the course of the next month - at theater events in the Austin community, over my jersey at Spurs games in San Antonio, and everywhere I go. Find me and snap a picture with me and my pink tie so that you can share it with your friends as well (bonus points if you coordinate and are wearing a pink tie as well!). The event officially takes place between 6 p.m. on February 7th and 6 p.m. on February 8th, but I'll be posting to drum up support as we draw nearer that date (and you're free to pledge a donation at any time leading up to then!).
How Can You Help?
There are two goals to this campaign - fundraising and awareness. If you have the money to spare, great! You'll help me achieve my goal (and potentially out-raise the other Central TX Pink Tie Guys to become the self-proclaimed Grand Pooh-Bah of Pink!). But even if you aren't in a position to donate - you can help by raising awareness. Share our campaign - with your family, with your friends at the office, with your book club, at your performance, maybe you have friends at a local business in the community that is willing to support or re-share to raise awareness… Not only will it put the message before more folks, but maybe it'll convince someone to get a mammogram that catches signs early and before it gets too late.
But, Wait... There's more...
I'll put my money where my tie is. I've set an ambitious goal of $10,000 (I'm committed to raise at least $2,500). If we don't make the goal, I'll cover the difference and get us the rest of the way to $10,000. But, if we make it to that $10,000 goal, I'll match it to double our contribution! So, help me help the women who need it!
Where Does Your Money Go?
- Research – Since 1982, Komen has funded more than $1.1 billion in research. There are 10 active research grants here in Texas totaling nearly $6 million!
- Support - Komen has provided $2.3 billion in funding for screening, diagnostics, education, treatment, and support programs serving millions in more than 60 countries. Last year, nearly 2,000 people in Texas received assistance totaling nearly $1 million dollars. Each week 10,000 Texans seek help and information from Susan G. Komen.
- Komen’s mission investment has averaged 78 cents or more for the past 15 years.
You can make a tax-deductible donation online with your credit card by clicking the "Donate Now" button above my fundraising thermometer.
Thank you so much for taking this journey with me.