Not one to slow down, Leslie Reed's retirement opened the door for a more personal connection to Komen and her transformation into a super-volunteer.
When two close friends were diagnosed with breast cancer and ultimately lost their battles, Leslie became passionate about fundraising for Komen events. In her first Breast Cancer 3-Day® event in Southern California in 1999, she walked 60 miles, raising over $4,000.
Since then she has participated in two additional Breast Cancer 3-Day events and just completed her fourth Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, raising her total Race contributions to more than $60,000.
After retiring and relocating to Sacramento, Leslie registered for her first Sacramento Race for the Cure in 2004 and found that the Web site registration process needed improvement. Volunteering to be "part of the cure," Leslie joined the Race Committee, assisting in reconciling donations and participants which she has continued to do for the past three years.
Appreciating her dedication and high-level accounting skills, the Sacramento Affiliate asked Leslie if she would be interested in volunteering as their office bookkeeper, and fortunately she accepted.
"Since then, my Wednesdays have been productively and happily occupied," says Leslie.
Recognizing the importance of raising contribution levels, Leslie sought creative options for fundraising. Searching for more than walking and race pledge donations, Leslie and friends promoted their love of great food, fine wines and fun people into their own unique "Cook for the Cure" event, raising $7,000 in the past two years.
Her team was born from this event and has been honored with the Team Prize for the #1 Community Team — most pledged dollars per person for the past two years. In total, they have raised a respectable $45,280.
The Sacramento Affiliate is overjoyed to include Leslie as part of our Komen Family. Her enthusiasm, generosity and love of life touches everyone who knows her and her commitment to end breast cancer forever is both motivational and infectious
