TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Moore Bass Consulting, in partnership with The Hang Tough Foundation, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit that serves families whose children have been affected by chronic or life-altering illness or special needs, encouraging our community to wear gold on Friday September 24th in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In addition, on Friday Sept. 24th at 10:30 a.m. there will be a short presentation to honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the “Be Bold, Go Gold” project spearheaded by an 11-year-old, Katelyn Irwin.
In 2018, third grader Katelyn Irwin was perplexed why schools have a “Go Pink” day for Breast Cancer Awareness in October, but there was no mention of childhood cancer or ‘Going Gold’ the month prior. After living through her 11-month-old brother’s diagnosis with leukemia back in 2013 and undergoing treatment at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital (he is now six years cancer free and just celebrated his 9th birthday!), she recognized the need to raise awareness for childhood cancer. She approached her principal, and in 2019, she started a “Be Bold. Go Gold.” campaign at her school. She raised $2,500 that year through an online fundraising account and selling gold donuts in partnership with Dunkin.
By 2020, Katelyn was ready to expand her project to make sure all Leon County Schools students “Go Gold” in September for pediatric cancer awareness. She enhanced her fundraising efforts by designing and selling a T-shirt in addition to making Dunkin’s gold donuts available to the public. She raised $5,600 last September!
Katelyn is now 11 years old, and is passionately spearheading Hang Tough’s 3rd Annual “Be Bold. Go Gold.” Campaign. Partnering with Moore Bass Consulting, a local civil engineering and development consulting firm, she has set a goal to raise $10,000 with this year’s campaign. This year’s campaign funds will be distributed between the Hang Tough Foundation, The Marshal Fisher AYA Cancer Fund at UF Health Shands and Trent’s Touch Foundation. She has been actively selling t-shirts, raffle tickets and gold donuts from Dunkin’ as she encourages others to donate. The event culminates on Friday, September 24th as all Leon County Schools students and our community will hold a “Go Gold Day” for Pediatric Cancer Awareness where everyone is encouraged to wear gold to participate.
Moore Bass and Hang Tough Foundation will hold a short presentation on Friday, September 24 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate this year’s Go Gold campaign. The presentation will feature brief comments from speakers featuring Katelyn Irwin, the campaign coordinator, and remarks from Moore Bass Consulting shareholder, Ken Powell who has been personally affected by childhood cancer. Also in attendance will be Dunkin’, Hang Tough Foundation, UF Health Shands & Trent’s Touch leadership, pediatric cancer Heroes and their families. During this presentation, an announcement of total funds raised will be announced.
“The Go Gold campaign not only brings awareness and raises much needed funds for families in our community, but also surrounds our hero families facing cancer with support and love from our entire Capital City community” states Janelle Irwin, Executive Director of Hang Tough Foundation.
For more information about the Hang Tough Foundation, visit www.HangToughFoundation.org.
For more information about the Be Bold, Go Gold campaign, visit https://www.hangtoughfoundation.org/engage/be-bold-go-gold/
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ABOUT HANG TOUGH FOUNDATION
Hang Tough Foundation was formed in 2015 with the goal to care for the entire family of children affected by chronic or life-altering illnesses and special needs. Hang Tough works to provide support, hope and encouragement to families during their journey with childhood illness customized to their challenges and needs. Founded and based in the Big Bend, the organization serves more than 825 Hang Tough Heroes, children who are suffering from all kinds of diagnoses, and their families. Visit www.HangToughFoundation.org.