Shrimp, Goats, Bikes, Boards & Parachutes-- Day 18 of 25 Memories -- A Countdown to Our 25th Anniversary Gala by Dorothy Gibbons

I marvel at the myriad of ways supporters of The Rose have raised money through the years. I already told you about the Bachelors’ Auctions that the Soroptimists did for us. Perhaps that should have been a sign of things to come? And then there were the Shrimp Boils – which I’ve also mentioned in previous posts. The 22 Shrimp Boils we’ve had thus far have raised more than $750,000 by the way. That’s a lot of shrimp!

We’ve had horse shows and golf tournaments, fashion shows and parties in homes, young people skimming across water and even a pink goat (that story is coming soon). Quilters quilt for us and cyclists ride in the Pink Ribbons Project annual Tour de Pink.

Recently (as in the last three years) Bikers Against Breast Cancer offered a whole new audience the chance to help out our uninsured women. The 2011 ride saw more than 500 riders, volunteers and supporters set a record and bring us close to $100,000 raised thus far.  

D’Etta Casto-DeLeon has led the team since the beginning.  She’s one gorgeous lady and the way she convinces people to volunteer year after year is amazing! They start planning early and I enjoy hearing the laughter coming out of the conference room as this totally volunteer group puts in 100+ hours to ensure that the event is safe and successful.

Ask D’Etta why she commits so much time and energy organizing the BABC, and she’ll tell you: “You mean beside the fact that I am a control freak and refuse to let it go and only want to see it get bigger and better???“ You gotta love D’Etta’s perspective! 

(However, press her a little bit and she will reveal that her grandmother has breast cancer and her children’s grandmother passed away from the disease.  Breast cancer has been an unwelcomed part of her life.)

She then added, “I continue because I see true results and know what we, the BABC Committee, accomplish. I know where the money is going, and I know that it stays local … that makes it worth it.  Of course, the hidden joy is when I have people come up to me and thank me for what I do, then tell me their story of how The Rose has helped them.”

Every event has been glorious.  All those bikers and their bikes revving up—the sounds of their engines filling the air. Dixie even bought a bike and she and her friend, Todd, lead the pack as the biker after biker pulls out of San Jacinto Harley Davidson parking lot in Pasadena.  For as far as one can see the line of bikers stretches into the horizon—for miles.  Many of the riders are survivors; many are riding for someone who did not survive. Another reminder … breast cancer touches us all.

Another fundraiser that’s made quite a “splash” with us, is Skim Jam put on by the group Skim2Live. Carey Seyler started Skim2Live in 2008 in honor of his mother, Debi, who had passed away from breast cancer when Carey was only 9 years old. The event features skimboarders competing and demonstrating their techniques of what is essentially surfing in shallow water. Carey was a teenager when he started the group with friends. After bringing us a $250 check in 2008, those incredibly dedicated youth have raised more than $13,000!

I’ll never forget the day when Carey, now a college student at UT in San Antonio, asked to talk to me about running a real non-profit.  He was our summer intern working in the Development Department.  He asked all the right questions and I know that this compassionate and hard-working young man will be someone who will make the world a better place.

To be continued ...

This memory is one of 25 short stories written by Dorothy Gibbons, the Co-founder and CEO of The Rose, a nonprofit breast cancer organization. She and Dr. Dixie Melillo received the 501C3 documents for The Rose in 1986. A memory will be shared daily, culminating with number 25 on the day The Rose celebrates its 25th anniversary November 10.

© 2011 Dorothy Gibbons. All rights reserved.