FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Branham, Go Jen Go Foundation
704-904-2535/ jenb@gojengo.org
The Go Jen Go Foundation names its first Executive Director
Longtime volunteer and board member Susan Sears is set to lead the growing foundation to assist more Charlotte families fighting breast cancer.
The Go Jen Go Foundation has announced Susan Sears as the organization’s first Executive Director. Go Jen Go provides financial assistance to families fighting breast cancer in the greater Charlotte area, providing $103,000 in grants to 138 families in 2017.
“Bringing on Susan as our Executive Director gives Go Jen Go a new level of commitment to our mission.”, said co-founder Joe Pagani. “We will be able to serve so many more families with a renewed attention to their needs. While our all volunteer Board does an amazing job with the many hours they donate to supporting breast cancer survivors, Susan has a passion and a commitment to focusing on how we can better serve this community and will allow us to increase our donor base and provide support to more families in need.”
Sears resume includes working with Charlotte non-profits Komen Charlotte and most recently Girls on the Run. She has served on the planning committee for Go Jen Go’s signature fundraiser the Run Jen Run 5k since 2013 and became a board member of the foundation in 2015.
“My passion to support breast cancer initiatives began after losing my mother-in-law Terry in 2004.” said Sears. “I moved to Charlotte and immediately became involved with Komen Charlotte. It was while serving as the 2012 Race for the Cure Chair that I met co-founder Jen Pagani. I instantly connected with her and her organization’s mission and let everyone know that I wanted to be a part of it! I am thrilled to continue to build the Go Jen Go Foundation into an amazing resource for survivors and to partner with like-minded organizations in our community.”
About The Go Jen Go Foundation
The Go Jen Go Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is dedicated to providing financial assistance to individuals and families who are battling breast cancer. They provide financial aid during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Go Jen Go allows families to focus on the fight, not the finances. For more information visit www.gojengo.org
Hello, loyal GoJenGo supporters!
The insane summer heat can only mean ONE thing! We are quickly approaching the annual 24 Hours of Booty, a two-day ride on the Booty Loop in Charlotte that raises awareness and funds to fight cancer.
The most exciting news is that this year GoJenGo is one of the beneficiaries of this amazing event! Which means that the more money raised by the participants, the more funds our organization will have to distribute to families struggling to pay the daily costs that come with fighting breast cancer.
Want to help? We could use your support in three ways:
- Donate. GoJenGo has a team of riders who are ready to ride the loop and you can donate to our team here: https://events.24hoursofbooty.org/fundraise/team?ftid=66400
- Join us. Feeling like you have a few miles in your legs? Join our team and hop on your bike! You can join our team by clicking here and typing in GoJenGo: https://events.24hoursofbooty.org/team/join?eid=62822
- Come for our Curbside Happy Hour. On Friday, July 29, we will gather at 6:30pm at the corner of Queens Road West and Norton (near Hopedale — see map below). Both adult and kid beverages will be served. Our GoJenGo riders will complete the ceremonial first lap and then come join the fun for a bit before heading back out to tackle the loop!
Thank you in advance for boosting the presence of GoJenGo, both in person and in fundraising! Because of you and 24 Hours of Booty, we will help more families weather the financial storm of breast cancer. Together we will make a difference!
GoJenGo!!
- The cause. This race was Jen Pagani’s dream and it’s our biggest fundraiser. Your support allows us to help families who are struggling to make ends meet because breast cancer treatment is taking every extra dollar. Because of this race, we will be able to help hundreds of survivors in 2016. We can’t do it without you.
- The swag. The race t-shirt is new and different this year. That’s reason enough. But if you fundraise through Crowdrise, you can also earn all kinds of awesome treats – a long-sleeved t-shirt, a water bottle, a cooler, or a Yeti tumbler. Or you could earn all four!
- The festival. This is a family-friendly event and there is a TON for the kids to do. Bouncy houses, face painting, mascots, food, and much more.
- The course. It’s fast and it’s neighborly. You’ll fly through the streets and time will fly too because you’ll be having so much fun.
- Packet Pickup. We have DRIVE THOUGH packet pick up, people. Could that be any easier? No. The answer is no.
So register to run the Run Jen Run 5K. Do it for Jen. Or do it for you. Either way, just do it!
Christmas somehow became real this weekend, didn’t it? Every other car driving down the road had a tree tied on top, twinkly lights were strewn all over rooftops and trees, and inflatable Rudolfs were too numerous to count. There is excitement and anticipation as school winds down; families are ready enjoy the holidays.
But some families won’t be able to enjoy the holidays unless we help them. That’s why at GoJenGo, we have our annual Operation Spread the Joy. Each year we create a SignUpGenius list so you can sign up and purchase gifts for several families who are struggling financially because they can’t afford Christmas and the cost of daily living, and breast cancer.
Here are just a couple of scenarios to break your heart: we have three young children who lost their mother (who was only 33 years old) to breast cancer just two weeks ago. She and her husband had done their Christmas shopping before she died, but her husband can’t afford the layaway payments to pick up the gifts they selected.
We have another mother who has two daughters who were born deaf and a son who is quadriplegic. She just wants to be able to buy them each a few small things for Christmas.
A few small things. That’s all these families are asking for. And you can help them.
Please click on our SignUpGenius link and select two or three items to purchase for these families. Because while Christmas may be real to us? It’s not real for these families. Not yet. They don’t know how they can afford Christmas; needless to say, there will be no inflatable Rudolf on their lawn. But there can be gifts under their tree.
Thank you so much for helping us make Christmas a reality for these families. Thank you for giving these children, who live with the implications of breast cancer every day, something to be excited about.
Instructions and deadlines are included on the SignUpGenius page. We wish you a joyous holiday season!
So today is #GivingTuesday, the day that comes after black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is the day we are supposed to atone for our outrageous holiday spending by making a donation to a not-for-profit that makes our world a better place.
GoJenGo would like to humbly suggest making a donation to us! And here’s why: we make the world a better place for individuals and families living with the burden of breast cancer. We offer emotional and financial assistance for when times are hard. And, trust us, times are often hard for our families; bills start mounting and the stress of appointments and decision-making reach an all-time high. But that’s when we are at our best. GoJenGo steps in and offers help. And we allow these men and women to focus on life for a few minutes. Rather than on their disease.
So we’ll keep our plea today simple. GoJenGo would be extremely grateful to have your donation, especially since there are so many families who need our help during the holidays. But even if it’s not us you choose to support, please support a not-for-profit today. That’s what #GivingTuesday is all about. Just give from your heart and watch the difference it makes.
Have you ever gone to an event and been disappointed by the food? It’s not fun, is it? You go in with high expectations, maybe you even skipped meal in anticipation of the yumminess you just know you’re going to experience. And then you walk away unfulfilled. Unsatisfied.
We can promise that won’t happen at our fundraiser on Sunday.
If you join us for OktoberBreast at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery this weekend, you will be delighted by the food. That’s because it’s being provided by Roots Food, one of the most exciting catering companies around. Maybe you’ve visited their food truck around town? If so, you know what we’re talking about. Almost everything they offer is fresh, unique, and made from scratch. And they source as much local food as possible for their menu. They’ve become famous for their tacos, sandwiches, barbecue, and all kinds of other delectable treats (and just as an FYI, they’ll customize a menu for you if you have a party to cater!) Anyway, you’re just gonna have to come out on Sunday to see what snacks Roots has in store for you.
So come share some snacks and goodies with us on Sunday. Because if you come to OktoberBreast, you won’t walk away unsatisfied. Well, unless you don’t win that auction item you bid on. But that’s on you! The food will rock.
Tickets are still available for OktoberBreast! Come out from 3-6pm on Sunday, October 18 to watch the Panthers game, hang out with friends, eat delicious food, and help us raise money for a great cause! See you there!