Bunco for Alan's Hero Fund

We are very grateful that two groups of friends, one in Frisco and one in San Antonio, offered to organize fundraisers to mark the first anniversary of losing Alan at the end of January. It was also a wondeful way to recognize the great honor of Alan being chosen as one of the five St. Baldrick's 2014 Ambassadors. We got to unveil the banner prominently featuring Alan at the fundraiser in San Antonio and introduced a lot of new people to St. Baldrick's and the need for childhood cancer research with the pocket brochures from the Foundation featuring Alan.

The events were both bunco games with raffles and silent auctions - we were so overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and local business who donated. Some of the prizes came from the Votre Vu fundraiser that took place in the fall - a wonderful company that supports St. Baldrick's nationally with a donation with every cosmetic product sold and locally through the personal generosity of their Brand Ambassadors who have donated part of their commissions.

Both events benefit Alan's Hero Fund, a fund with St. Baldrick's to support pediatric sarcoma research in Alan's memory. Between the two events, we have almost $3,000.00 towards the $10,000.00 we have committed to raise annually! Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to doing this again next year for the next anniversary. Thank you!


Debuting the 2014 St. Baldrick's banner featuring Alan


Delicious treats from Hailey's Sweet Shoppe


More goodies for the Silent Auction


Let the bidding begin


Two of the many organizers and donors - thank you sweeties!


Having a great time!


Proud raffle winner!


Proudly wearing the Bunco tiara!


Thank you Tara! I just wish we had a picture of Denise and Sara, our organizers in Frisco!

Update - An article on our fundraiser was published on the St. Baldrick's blog as an example of a fun and different kind of fundraiser.

Introducing one of St. Baldrick's 2014 Ambassadors!

Back in August, we were contacted by the St. Baldrick's Foundation - they wanted to know if we would be willing to include Alan as one of their 2014 Ambassadors. The five Ambassadors they choose every year represent the thousands of kids who face childhood cancer. One of the Ambassadors is always an angel like Alan, to represent the one in five children who don't survive.

We took a little time to think about it, if we would be up to the commitment so soon after Alan had passed. But it wasn't a hard choice - if we can help raise awareness about childhood cancer and the need for research, if we can help bring attention to the Foundation and it's mission, then it something we had to do.

So far it has meant going through photos and choosing the favorites we wanted to share and working on Alan's story. Now that the Foundation has announced the names of the 2014 Ambassadors, we will be more active. We look forward to sharing Alan's story with a wider audience.