Many people have asked how the Legend Foundation came to be. In 1986 I watched my sister, Kathleen, battle breast cancer at the age of 34. She was the mother of 2 small children and at that time treatment was a radical mastectomy. A few years later my mother went for her yearly mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment included a lumpectomy with radiation, and chemotherapy. In 1999 my youngest sister, Kecia, was diagnosed with breast cancer and also had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. At the time, she was 35 and had a young daughter. In 2005, her cancer returned and this time it required a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. In 2008 I was diagnosed with LCIS. In our family, we are blessed with many daughters and granddaughters so this is an issue near and dear to our hearts.
After watching my sisters and mother battle this disease, I decided to raise funds for patients and their families. I have seen first hand the effects breast cancer has had on not only the women, but their spouses, children, parents, extended family, and friends.
When I discussed raising money for breast cancer with the women at my golf club, several were interested. With the help of my daughter, we started a small tournament that raised over $1,000 for the Susan Komen Foundation. We did not have a name but we had a cause. During the next few years we continued this tradition and expanded our efforts by including a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Due to the generosity of the participants, our proceeds grew to $4,500 in 2005. Encouraged by the increasing success of the tournament, we decided to open the event to the public and sought individual and corporate sponsorships.
In 2006, THE LEGEND FOUNDATION was born. In our inaugural year, the Legend Golf Classic raised $14,000! This success prompted us to focus our efforts towards women in our community who would benefit from our participants’ generosity. We found that the immediate communities had a need for funds to provide treatment, transportation, prosthesis, wigs, compression bands, etc. to patients.
I have been asked numerous times how we were able to put a name to our cause, and since every woman is a legend to someone, each year an honoree or “Legend” is chosen. This woman has demonstrated strength, courage, and inspiration while embracing her journey with breast cancer. Proceeds from our events are donated in the name of this woman. Since this disease affects everyone, our Legends have varied in age and backgrounds. Our 2006-2010 Legends are listed with a short bio on our website. If you would like to nominate someone, please send us their name and a brief reason for the nomination.
Our main fundraisers are: a Pink Balloon Gala in April, the Legend Golf Classic in June and a yard sale in September. We are working on a possible family event for the Fall. Our proceeds are donated to the special needs funds at the Graham Center and the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. In addition to providing direct support to the special needs funds, we are providing magazine subscriptions for the Graham Center for patient use during treatment, and we are developing a support network on our website for the children of patients to communicate with one another. We have no paid positions and rely 100% on volunteer support and contributions from the local communities. The board is a group of caring people who strive to make a difference in the lives of families fighting this disease. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer your time or contribute to The Legend’s success.
Karen A. Valentine
President, The Legend Foundation
