For community leaders and executives committed to ending breast cancer, Susan G. Komen’s newly launched VIPink ambassador fundraising program offers a chance to engage with their personal and professional networks to support the fight to end breast cancer. The program is designed for leaders who want to make a significant impact by fundraising to support Komen.
Building on the success of initiatives like BigWigs and Pink Tie Guys, VIPink unites executives, advocates and community influencers nationwide. Moreover, the program allows executives and leaders the flexibility to choose how they want to fundraise.
“With VIPink, leaders from all sectors can take part in a nationwide movement to end breast cancer,” said Tisho Jessop, manager of DIY and ambassador fundraising programs at Komen. “It makes it easier for executives and leaders to contribute to breast cancer awareness in ways that align with their personal and professional passions. The program expands the reach of our previous ambassador campaigns and provides more opportunities for leaders to engage and inspire their networks to support this important cause.”
Below, we highlight the journeys of three leaders whose fundraising inspired others to give back and make a meaningful impact to help end breast cancer.
Rick Cavender: Leading the Fight Against Breast Cancer
For the past decade, Rick Cavender, CEO of Cavender Auto Family, has made it a priority to honor people impacted by breast cancer.
Specifically, his 18 car dealerships have participated in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing survivors and those impacted by the disease. However, Rick felt called to do more.
Upon learning about Komen’s Pink Tie Guys executive and community leadership fundraising campaign, he knew the opportunity aligned with his personal and professional goals.
“I lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer, and I’ve had employees who have faced this terrible disease,” he said. “The Pink Tie Guys fundraising challenge was the perfect opportunity for me to honor them.”
Leveraging Music and Community to Support Breast Cancer Awareness
In addition to his role as a business leader, Rick has been the frontman of the Rick Cavender Band for more than 40 years. As a part of his breast cancer fundraising efforts, he wrote and recorded a song, “I’m Your Pink Tie Guy.” He released it on social media to promote the Pink Tie Guys fundraising campaign.
“We teased the song and the event in the month leading up to the event, and I even sang it to customers as they waited in our service department,” he said. “I wore my pink tie, and it was all about keeping breast cancer awareness at the front of everyone’s mind.”
Fundraising $25,000 through Komen’s Pink Tie Guys Ambassador Program
Ultimately, Rick’s creativity and commitment to the cause paid off. By the end of the campaign, his fundraising efforts raised nearly $25,000 to support Komen’s work to end breast cancer. As a result, he earned the title of Top Overall Fundraiser for the 2024 San Antonio Pink Tie Guys fundraising campaign.
Tray Henry: Family and Fundraising to end Breast Cancer
As a mother of seven and owner of Hairajuku Salon, Tray Henry expertly juggles multiple responsibilities.
Nominated by her father, she embraced her role as a BigWigs ambassador in the Inland Empire of California. With this new role came a mission: to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
“My dad and aunts were BigWigs in the past, so it’s something I’ve known about for a while,” Tray said. “My maternal grandmother had breast cancer, and my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 36. I knew I had to participate.”
Going Big: Raising $56,000 to Support Komen’s Mission to End Breast Cancer
Tray’s passion for breast cancer awareness was evident. She embraced the spirit of the BigWigs campaign and decorated the salon with pink. Additionally, she donned her pink wig to greet clients as they entered and shared information about the campaign and Komen.
“Embracing the ‘pink everything’ was so much fun,” she said. “You’re a different person when you put on that pink wig.”
In addition to her in-person efforts, Tray leveraged social media, sharing her breast cancer fundraising link on Facebook to encourage donations. Ultimately, her strategy was simple, but effective. Her best tip to future fundraising ambassadors? “Just ask! The No. 1 thing I did was reach out to people and make a personal ask. Generally, people are willing to give and support campaigns like this, they just need to be asked,” she said.
Inspiring Others to Join the Fight to End Breast Cancer
Through her combination of in-person engagement and online outreach, Tray raised raised more than $56,000 for Komen’s BigWigs campaign. As a result, she earned the title of the Inland Empire’s “Biggest Wig” for her efforts.”
“Before I committed to fundraising, I had the opportunity to hear from a breast cancer survivor who had received support from Komen,” Tray said. “Hearing her story was refreshing and a breath of fresh air. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a BigWig.”
Neal Brackett: A Family Legacy of Breast Cancer Support
For Neal Brackett, a defense attorney and partner with Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, the fight to end breast cancer is personal.
Specifically, his family supports Komen through the Race for the Cure, raising funds to honor his grandmother, a breast cancer survivor. In 2019, his dedication deepened when he joined the Komen Indiana board of directors. Then, in 2022, he became an ambassador for the BigWigs fundraising challenge.
“It was such a great experience,” he said. “When Komen asked if I wanted to be an ambassador again in 2024, I jumped at the opportunity.”
This time around, he brought in his “secret weapon” – his four-year-old daughter, Asha.
How Neal and Asha Made an Impact in their Breast Cancer Fundraising
“I thought I would leverage her cuter dimples to see if we could raise even more money,” he said. “She is a little performer. It was not hard to convince her to have her picture taken and ask people to donate.”
Together, Neal and Asha co-hosted a family-friendly breast cancer awareness fundraiser at a local trampoline park. They invited classmates, family and friends to join them in supporting the cause. “We had about 80 people show up,” Neal said. “The park donated a portion of the day’s proceeds to the campaign.”
The ‘Biggest Wig’: Neal and Asha’s Breast Cancer Fundraising Success
Ultimately, the father-and-daughter duo’s creativity and commitment to the BigWigs campaign paid off. Over six weeks, they raised $27,400, contributing to the campaign’s total of more than $70,000. During the BigWigs finale event, Asha earned the title of the “Biggest Wig” for her outstanding fundraising efforts.
“She was awarded a crown with a long, pink cape,” Neal said. “Everyone was clapping for her, and she enjoyed every minute of it.”
Committed to a Shared Goal: Ending Breast Cancer
While these three executive and community leaders followed different paths in their fundraising, they all shared a single vision: to raise awareness and crucial funds to help support Komen’s mission to end breast cancer forever.
With the launch of the VIPink ambassador fundraising program, community leaders across the U.S. have more flexibility to choose how to engage and raise funds to end breast cancer. Whether participating through Pink Tie Guys, BigWigs or a custom campaign, VIPink offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.
For more information on how you can make a difference through VIPink, email Tisho Jessop at fundraise@komen.org or visit komen.org/VIPink.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
