Local breast cancer advocate raised nearly $180,000 for awareness campaign
Gemma Smedberg-Goodwin at one of the many Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walks that she has attended thanks to her continued support of the foundation.
October 16, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time that affords people a moment to take a minute to stop and understand the struggles of those suffering from the too-often-deadly disease. It also offers a moment to shine a spotlight on the people and communities working hard throughout the year to raise money for organizations devoted to treatment and research.
One such person is Gemma Smedberg-Goodwin, a resident of Branson West. Smedberg-Goodwin has been working for the last nine years to raise money for one of the most notable breast cancer-related charities in the world, the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Smedberg-Goodwin is deeply involved in efforts to raise money for the foundation, having been to several conferences with other donors.
“I believe that the money that we raise goes to a good cause. I’ve been to the big conferences. I’ve met scientists and tons of people involved with the organization and I’m confident that the money is going where it needs to go,” she said.
She continued, explaining that her interest in the organization was piqued nine years ago when she saw a television ad for the foundation that inspired her.
“I was watching t.v. one night, and there was this woman on this ad saying that she didn’t think that she could do the walk. She didn’t think that she could do 60 miles, but she did for the cause. I thought to myself ‘Well, I can do that.’ It kind of rolled on from there.”
Since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen has reportedly donated $988 million dollars in the interests of researching causes, cures and treatments for breast cancer. The foundation has also contributed $2.2 billion dollars toward treatment, education and screenings.
The foundation’s website, https://ww5.komen.org/, reports that their primary mission is to provide research funding as well as aid in paying for services for women who are uninsured or operating with a low-income, as well as men who are unable to access care.
The foundation is classified as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.
“I feel that they are doing a wonderful job,” said Smedberg-Goodwin. “I’ve met many people that have received a lot of help from them. They’ve covered the testing and exams for people.”
She explained that though her household has never felt the devastating effects of the cancer, it has touched some of her family.
“This is what I need to do. I feel like my purpose is to help people that are doing this,” explained Smedberg-Goodwin. “I’m fortunate enough that my family has never dealt with something like this in our own home. My sister has had two husbands that have passed away from cancer.”
“I’ve got two girls of my own, and when I’ve been on those trips to San Diego I’ve seen the young survivors, girls in school with pictures of them in prom dresses,” she continued. “I feel like I’m helping the next generation of women. It seems like it’s hitting them younger and younger.”
Since she began donating to the foundation, Smedberg-Goodwin reports having raised approximately $180,000 dollars through various, often unconventional, fundraising efforts.
“I’ve got a friend who owns a garage. He donates old radiators and parts that I can take and get recycled. I put it all in the trunk of my car,” she explained. “I have some friends that have season tickets to the Chiefs. They donate two tickets to every home game, and I offer them. That money goes back into the foundation.”
“The first year I donated, I shaved my head,” she continued. “Every year after that, I dyed my hair so much that I barely even remember what my natural color is. So, people would donate money to me to guess my natural hair color, and whoever won got a free meal at the restaurant I was working for at the time.”
Smedberg-Goodwin also explained that she has a yearly yard sale at her home in Branson West, the proceeds of which all go to benefit the foundation. She also receives donation funding through a booth that she maintains at a local flea market, as well as a variety of raffles that she holds at community events across Branson West and Stone County.
Her donations have earned her a yearly trip to one of Susan G. Koeman’s most prestigious events, their 3-Day Walks.
The walks happen in various locations all over the country, but all have one goal: 60 miles over a period of three days. During these walks, individuals and corporations alike can pledge money to specific walkers or teams for every mile walked.
To qualify for the walks, participants must first reach a milestone of $23,000 in donations, a goal that Smedberg-Goodwin has been able to hit on a yearly basis. This year, she will participate in the San Diego arm of the event on November 15, 16 and 17.
Ever the industrious donor, she has also found a way to turn training for these events into a fundraising opportunity of her own.
“I do a mini-walk-athon in August when I’m training for the event,” Smedberg-Goodwin explained. “People pledge me per mile. Some of them pledge just 25 cents a mile.”
Reflecting on her nearly-decade-long involvement with the foundation, Smedberg-Goodwin commented that she was thankful for the supportive community around her who have all worked to give money for what they believe to be a good cause.
“It’s crazy to think that after nine years in the same community, I’m still able to raise upwards of $20,000 a year,” she said. “I don’t have corporate donations, it’s all individuals who donate. I’m really grateful that they’ve all been so generous.”
To donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation directly, visit their website at https://ww5.komen.org/ or find a local breast cancer event sponsored by the foundation.
The foundation also provides a helpline that offers callers information on a variety of topics, from breast health to how to approach seeking treatment. For more information, call 1-877- 465- 6636.
Vinnie Roberts
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time that affords people a moment to take a minute to stop and understand the struggles of those suffering from the too-often-deadly disease. It also offers a moment to shine a spotlight on the people and communities working hard throughout the year to raise money for organizations devoted to treatment and research.
One such person is Gemma Smedberg-Goodwin, a resident of Branson West. Smedberg-Goodwin has been working for the last nine years to raise money for one of the most notable breast cancer-related charities in the world, the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Smedberg-Goodwin is deeply involved in efforts to raise money for the foundation, having been to several conferences with other donors.
“I believe that the money that we raise goes to a good cause. I’ve been to the big conferences. I’ve met scientists and tons of people involved with the organization and I’m confident that the money is going where it needs to go,” she said.
She continued, explaining that her interest in the organization was piqued nine years ago when she saw a television ad for the foundation that inspired her.
“I was watching t.v. one night, and there was this woman on this ad saying that she didn’t think that she could do the walk. She didn’t think that she could do 60 miles, but she did for the cause. I thought to myself ‘Well, I can do that.’ It kind of rolled on from there.”
Since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen has reportedly donated $988 million dollars in the interests of researching causes, cures and treatments for breast cancer. The foundation has also contributed $2.2 billion dollars toward treatment, education and screenings.
The foundation’s website, https://ww5.komen.org/, reports that their primary mission is to provide research funding as well as aid in paying for services for women who are uninsured or operating with a low-income, as well as men who are unable to access care.
The foundation is classified as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.
“I feel that they are doing a wonderful job,” said Smedberg-Goodwin. “I’ve met many people that have received a lot of help from them. They’ve covered the testing and exams for people.”
She explained that though her household has never felt the devastating effects of the cancer, it has touched some of her family.
“This is what I need to do. I feel like my purpose is to help people that are doing this,” explained Smedberg-Goodwin. “I’m fortunate enough that my family has never dealt with something like this in our own home. My sister has had two husbands that have passed away from cancer.”
“I’ve got two girls of my own, and when I’ve been on those trips to San Diego I’ve seen the young survivors, girls in school with pictures of them in prom dresses,” she continued. “I feel like I’m helping the next generation of women. It seems like it’s hitting them younger and younger.”
Since she began donating to the foundation, Smedberg-Goodwin reports having raised approximately $180,000 dollars through various, often unconventional, fundraising efforts.
“I’ve got a friend who owns a garage. He donates old radiators and parts that I can take and get recycled. I put it all in the trunk of my car,” she explained. “I have some friends that have season tickets to the Chiefs. They donate two tickets to every home game, and I offer them. That money goes back into the foundation.”
“The first year I donated, I shaved my head,” she continued. “Every year after that, I dyed my hair so much that I barely even remember what my natural color is. So, people would donate money to me to guess my natural hair color, and whoever won got a free meal at the restaurant I was working for at the time.”
Smedberg-Goodwin also explained that she has a yearly yard sale at her home in Branson West, the proceeds of which all go to benefit the foundation. She also receives donation funding through a booth that she maintains at a local flea market, as well as a variety of raffles that she holds at community events across Branson West and Stone County.
Her donations have earned her a yearly trip to one of Susan G. Koeman’s most prestigious events, their 3-Day Walks.
The walks happen in various locations all over the country, but all have one goal: 60 miles over a period of three days. During these walks, individuals and corporations alike can pledge money to specific walkers or teams for every mile walked.
To qualify for the walks, participants must first reach a milestone of $23,000 in donations, a goal that Smedberg-Goodwin has been able to hit on a yearly basis. This year, she will participate in the San Diego arm of the event on November 15, 16 and 17.
Ever the industrious donor, she has also found a way to turn training for these events into a fundraising opportunity of her own.
“I do a mini-walk-athon in August when I’m training for the event,” Smedberg-Goodwin explained. “People pledge me per mile. Some of them pledge just 25 cents a mile.”
Reflecting on her nearly-decade-long involvement with the foundation, Smedberg-Goodwin commented that she was thankful for the supportive community around her who have all worked to give money for what they believe to be a good cause.
“It’s crazy to think that after nine years in the same community, I’m still able to raise upwards of $20,000 a year,” she said. “I don’t have corporate donations, it’s all individuals who donate. I’m really grateful that they’ve all been so generous.”
To donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation directly, visit their website at https://ww5.komen.org/ or find a local breast cancer event sponsored by the foundation.
The foundation also provides a helpline that offers callers information on a variety of topics, from breast health to how to approach seeking treatment. For more information, call 1-877- 465- 6636.
