Hakuna Ma-Tatas

Team Hakuna Ma Tatas is a group of breast cancer survivors, friends & cancer fighters. I started this team when I learned that my cancer was caught early enough that I would face only a double mastectomy & 10 years of hormone treatment. If I was spared from having to face chemo or radiation, I was going to find a way to pay it forward. Somehow I convinced my friend & breast surgeon to join my team, along with my mom & sister, my family, my friends, my co-workers. We’ve grown to be a kick-butt community of cancer fighters and tribe of about 60 people working together to end breast cancer forever.

Together over the past 4 years, we have raised over $260,000 for our 3day team (Susan G Komen) being the top team in Chicago in 2023 & the #4 team in San Diego in 2024. Last year we are trying something new- Pledge the Pink- where the majority of the monies our team raises can be designated to help a local breast foundation. We have identified an important cause to support & are excited that our local community will directly benefit from our fundraising efforts. We raised funds to to brong a contrast enhanced mammography (CEM) machine for our local breast center. CEM is new technology that a diagnose breast cancer earlier with higher accuracy than regular mammograms. This year we are raising money to help patients who need access to high risk imaging get the care they need.

Early diagnosis saved my life. Let’s pay it forward together. Ite work will be done when 1 in 8 becomes none in 8!