Volunteer Spotlight

Teri Seck & Tiffany Taylor-Evans
Tiffany Taylor-Evans and Teri Seck are serving as the 2012 Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure Co-chairs. This year's Race will be held on Sunday, August 12th at Union Station.

At the recommendation of a mentor and professor in 2000, Teri Seck first began volunteering for Komen Kansas City. “My paternal Grandmother was a breast cancer survivor so I decided to get involved,” says Teri. “After many years of involvement with Komen, my maternal Grandmother was also diagnosed with breast cancer making me that much more dedicated to finding a cure.” As a Komen volunteer, Teri has filled many leadership roles including volunteer management, fundraising, and several past event chair positions. Teri says the people are what keep her coming back. “I have met more amazing women and men while volunteering for Susan G. Komen than in any other are of my life. These people and the memories of past Race mornings are why I continue to come back to volunteer year after year.”

Long before moving to Kansas City, Tiffany Taylor-Evans dedicated her time volunteering for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Tiffany first began volunteering for Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure four years ago helping with t-shirt and registration packet pick-up. Her desire to get more involved led her to Signage and Course Logistics Chair positions.  When asked about her most memorable volunteer experience, Tiffany fondly remembers the way she felt after the 2009 Race. “I had just walked out Union Station (trying to get some relief from the sun), it hit me all at once that I was a part of this huge fundraising effort to aid in finding a cure to end breast cancer,” recalls Tiffany. “I knew without a doubt that I would do it all over again!”

Do you have an urge to get more involved in your community? Komen Kansas City is currently recruiting committee members for our Race for the Cure Committee. Click here to learn more about becoming a Komen volunteer.
 
 
Alena Wille

Shortly after losing her sister Connie to breast cancer, Alena Willie decided she wanted to make a difference by increasing breast cancer awareness. In January 2000, that passion brought her to Komen. Alena has held many volunteer positions for Komen Kansas City including: Fundraising Committee Member, Education Chair, Race for the Cure Survivor Pavilion Chair, and T-shirt/Race Packet Pick-up Chair. In 2012, Alena will take on a new volunteer role, serving a Pink Promise Brunch Chair (formerly called the Survivor Luncheon).

Alena has lots of memories from her 12 years of volunteer work for Komen. “One of my favorites has to be volunteering for seven nights at the Garth Brooks concerts selling the Garth Brooks Pink CD,” recalls Alena. “What a fun and amazing experience.”

But Alena is most thankful though for the people she met through her volunteer work. Not only has Alena gained life-long friends but she has also meet many others who lives have also been touched by breast cancer. “I remember handing our pink roses to survivors as they crossed the Race finish line. A father approached me and asked he could have a pink rose to put on his daughter’s grave. They had just lost her – he was pushing his daughter’s children in a stroller. We hugged and sobbed together. I will NEVER forget that day.”

Alena plans to continue spreading awareness “so we don’t keep losing our loved ones.” Thank you Alena for your ongoing commitment to save lives.

Pictured (L to R): Surrounding Alena at the 2011 Race for the Cure are her daughters Heather and Alicia and her sister Connie's daughters Caitlin and Cassie