2008 Woodie Awards
Cancer survivor teams up with ZETA to raise money for research
Jessica Medeiros
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
04/11/08 - Deb Cole started walking in 2005 as a method of rehabilitation after a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Now, walking has become a form of activism for Cole - a way for her to raise money for breast cancer research.
Cole participated in her first race, the Komen Race for the Cure, only two months after her surgery.
Since then, she has participated twice in the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day, a three-day, 60-mile walk that has raised more than $220 million since the first race in 2003.
Cole and her walking team, Hope Blossoms, have raised a total of more than $12,000, a number that grows each year she participates in the race, which requires walkers to raise a minimum of $2,200.
"It's really a grassroots effort," she said. "My friends, family, co-workers and members of the community are all so supportive."
So far she has raised about $600, but much of the fundraising is dependant on tonight's pasta dinner, which Cole, a financial analyst at the University of Rhode Island, is co-hosting with Zeta Epsilon Tau Alpha.
The dinner, which will be held at the Kingston Congressional Church, will raise money through individual donations and a drawing for about $350 worth of merchandise from Vera Bradley, Ronzio's and other local businesses. Cole and ZETA will split the profits.
ZETA junior Jocelyn Kelly said about 250 people are expected to attend. Kelly said she is hopeful the dinner will yield the funds necessary to cover Cole's entrance fee for the race.
"If this dinner is a success, we will definitely continue to support Deb in her fundraising," she said. "We are just so excited to be able to contribute to her efforts."
Kelly said ZETA supports Cole because her work is consistent with the values of the sorority.
"One of the most important pillars of ZETA is philanthropy," Kelly said. "One of our major philanthropies is breast cancer because it affects so many women."
As Kelly was asking for donations from businesses in the surrounding area, she said the number of people whose lives had been changed by breast cancer continually surprised her.
Now, walking has become a form of activism for Cole - a way for her to raise money for breast cancer research.
Cole participated in her first race, the Komen Race for the Cure, only two months after her surgery.
Since then, she has participated twice in the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day, a three-day, 60-mile walk that has raised more than $220 million since the first race in 2003.
Cole and her walking team, Hope Blossoms, have raised a total of more than $12,000, a number that grows each year she participates in the race, which requires walkers to raise a minimum of $2,200.
"It's really a grassroots effort," she said. "My friends, family, co-workers and members of the community are all so supportive."
So far she has raised about $600, but much of the fundraising is dependant on tonight's pasta dinner, which Cole, a financial analyst at the University of Rhode Island, is co-hosting with Zeta Epsilon Tau Alpha.
The dinner, which will be held at the Kingston Congressional Church, will raise money through individual donations and a drawing for about $350 worth of merchandise from Vera Bradley, Ronzio's and other local businesses. Cole and ZETA will split the profits.
ZETA junior Jocelyn Kelly said about 250 people are expected to attend. Kelly said she is hopeful the dinner will yield the funds necessary to cover Cole's entrance fee for the race.
"If this dinner is a success, we will definitely continue to support Deb in her fundraising," she said. "We are just so excited to be able to contribute to her efforts."
Kelly said ZETA supports Cole because her work is consistent with the values of the sorority.
"One of the most important pillars of ZETA is philanthropy," Kelly said. "One of our major philanthropies is breast cancer because it affects so many women."
As Kelly was asking for donations from businesses in the surrounding area, she said the number of people whose lives had been changed by breast cancer continually surprised her.