2018 has been a year of wonder with significant experiences in growth, change and determination. Between transforming our reality through a luau for our annual fundraiser, honoring the life of Kathy Nackers through a 7th annual golf outing with her friends and family, a monthly dinner series at The Pasta Tree all year, #GivingTuesday, starting our 1st Thursday monthly newsletter… it’s been busy!

I’m getting ahead of myself. More importantly, let’s start at the beginning – our first beneficiary. The woman who entrusted us to assist her, who helped us as an organization to learn and grow. The woman who is forever engrained in this world as Mama Wisth, if not by blood then by heart. The heavens gained another angel with Cindy joining the ranks on June 14th.

The whole reason behind the activity: the humans fighting breast cancer, struggling with day to day simplicities that can be taken for granted until health becomes an issue. These are the very things that increase stress when they are not handled. We all know personal care too often takes a back seat in times of stress, regardless of health.

It’s become clear that as a volunteer organization, in order to reach our goals of growing the number of people we help it is necessary to enlist technology with some automation. To do this, we have revamped the back end of our website to be user-friendly for beneficiaries to access their own account. The automation of services will allow those receiving benefits to select what is needed when it is most needed. While the ultimate goal is to offer services to more people, it is most important we properly service the beneficiaries who trust and rely on us now. Super excited to complete the beta testing for an official roll-out this year!

My heartfelt gratitude to the Board – Mark, Suzzette, Becky & Erin for making this year wonder-full, Brandon Reed for his steady guidance of running a non-profit organization, the amazing volunteers who stepped in to help at all the right times, including my beyond fabulous niece Anna for her talents and patience putting together all the marketing. Each of you who have supported us to this point with time, donations, energy and funds – much appreciation. And always, to those who trust us to help them through a very uncertain, scary time – we are honored to hold your trust.

Personally, I’m still awed by the brothers and sisters I’ve met and had the honor to work with this year. Through training for a sprint triathlon with Aurora Healthcare and Team Phoenix, volunteering and mentoring with ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, learning from the American Cancer Society, each encounter stretched me to grow, reinfusing my determination. Each moment has opened my eyes to the wonders all around, linking to the discovery of wonders within.

Deanna Savage

Savage Support Corp. President