While a new possible COVID descendant — Omicron — has been hinting to be an unwanted holiday visitor, efforts raised in October are coming to fruition.
It seems that back in October Celebrating Women Co-Chairs Marybeth Conlon and Elizabeth Gambrell and Underwriting Co-Chairs Amy Hegi and Libby Hegi decided to present the stories of personal journey of those suffering and researching breast cancer instead of holding the annual luncheon. Two of the profiles were breast cancer survivor Cynthia Krause and emerging survivor Krystal Smallwood-Whitaker.
Just before Thanksgiving, Cynthia and Krystal came together for a big event as “Krystal proudly rang the gong to celebrate her final round of chemotherapy.”
It was also around this time that the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation staffers amazed both themselves and volunteers that the 2021 Celebrating Women program had earned nearly $1M with still more coming in to advance the fight against breast cancer, despite the luncheon being MIA.
This feat was achieved thanks to generous individuals as well as 17-year presenting sponsor Tom Thumb and Albertsons Companies Foundation.
Thanks to these funds the following efforts will be put into place to:
- hire additional patient navigators to help serve the 9,000+ breast cancer patients Baylor Scott and White cares for annually.
- support Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation’s Gift of Life Fund that will help “provide mammograms for 170+ women who would otherwise be unable to afford this service.”
- establish the Lindalyn B. Adams Celebrating Women Endowment to support patient-centered programs such as patient navigation, genetic counseling, child life services and Baylor’s High-Risk Breast Screening Program.
It should be noted that thanks to breast cancer research and treatments, Lindalyn Adams herself was a breast cancer survivor and lived decades growing funds and awareness for developments to help countless others. Her legacy of helping others will continue on through her inspiration and this endowment.
Plans are already underway for the 2021 Celebrating Women’s leadership who are back in the trenches to have an in-person luncheon in 2022. Stay tuned for details as they develop.
* Graphic/photo provided by Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation