What. A. Year.
2017 has been the true definition of dichotomy in our eyes. It is the first full year we have had to survive without our girl causing pain that is still oh-so-very real and present. But from that pain, her light continues to shine in the everglow she’s left behind, bringing us immense pride. Navigating the two worlds simultaneously is seldom easy, but at a quick glance, it’s nice to reflect upon the successes we’ve had in an effort to inspire us forward.
Without the support of your Facebook comments, blog post sharing, financial support and donations, volunteering and involving yourselves in our cause, we would not be where we are today. To think of the number of Kate’s Cause magnets driving around on cars across the country, tshirts worn around the continent and Random Acts of Kateness shared around the WORLD is completely overwhelming.
We thank you, Kate’s Cause supporters, donors and advocates for believing in our mission in Kate’s memory to raise awareness, raise funds for better and less toxic treatments for kids and give back to the pediatric cancer community.
With pride, we share with you our 2017 Year in Review.
March 9, 2017 – Kate’s Cause officially received its 501c3 tax exempt status
May 3, 2017 – Kate’s Cause hosted its first “official” fundraiser complete with board attendance, printed materials and merchandise to sell! Hosted on Mommy’s birthday, the event raised several hundred dollars and a bit of awareness!
June 3, 2017 – Kate’s Cause hosted its official launch party, the PanKate Breakfast! In honor of what would have been Kate’s 6th birthday, we served 246 guests at our beloved church preschool. We presented our plan, our goals and mission and introduced our board.
June 5, 2017 – KatesCause.com was officially launched with our very first blog post titled “Happy Birthday Kate Olivia.” It was also delivery day for our 2nd annual toy drive. This year, we delivered over 500 toys in 16 bins and 3 boxes and hundreds of dollars in gift cards to our beloved clinic. Because of the overwhelming generosity, we were also able to deliver 6 boxes to the hospital where Kate was treated.
September 10, 2017 – Kate’s Cause partnered with Kegs & Corks for Kids’ Cancer and hosted (by far) our most overwhelmingly successful event to date! We raised over $13,000 AND secured 15 NEW registrants for Be the Match, the bone marrow donor registry!
September 16-17, 2017 – Kate’s Cause attended CureFest on the National Mall for our very first official outing among the community. We handed out over 200 dinosaurs to spread the Random Acts of Kateness.
Also this year, we made & sold out of HUNDREDS of newly-branded tshirts. We raised thousands of dollars during a last-minute Giving Tuesday event and hosted a small get-together at Kendra Scott that raised an additional $1,300. Because Kate’s Cause isn’t all just about fundraising, but also giving back, we were able to do so in a few different ways here locally with our clinic as well as with a few individuals we’ve met along the way.
Whew, I’m exhausted just recapping the year, but we’re only just getting started. So what’s to come in 2018? Stay tuned to KatesCause.com and our Facebook page for more information but I heard a rumor the PanKate Breakfast will now become an annual thing. We’ve also been given the opportunity to take on Kegs & Corks for Kids’ Cancer again and we WILL be back at CureFest again next year. And biggest and best of all, we will be awarding our first grant that YOU helped fund! Stay tuned on how we’ll award $50,000 over three years to the most promising young investigator with a focus on immunotherapy.
It is our greatest wish that you join us in ringing in the new year with Kate in your hearts and a cure on your minds.
Happy Holidays! Until Childhood Cancer is Extinct!
Mike & Lindsay Rhoades
