By Chris Yow
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — “You’ve got this.”
That’s the message Turn Trussville Pink organizers are trying to get out this year. Joshua White, founder of the Audie and Kathy White Foundation (AKW), said the message is clear, and together the community can make that happen.
This year, Trussville is standing on its own in fundraising efforts and there are several new events available to help support the cause.
“We’re really excited about the new events we’ve got going on. Chick-Fil-A and Applebee’s both have new events we’re happy to add,” White said.
Chick-Fil-A will be donating 15 percent of all sales that customers tell the cashier to keep their receipt to the cause. White said it is very important to tell cashiers to keep the receipt, however, because only receipts kept will go toward the donations.
AKW is the benefitting charity for Turn Trussville Pink, and it is very important to note that this foundation is all-volunteer and there are no paid staff members.
“When people give a donation when they participate they’re supporting AKW, which in turn benefits the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Research facility. Every dollar stays local,” White said. “UAB has a nationally-ranked breast cancer research facility. It’s world-class, and AKW has supported them for many years.”
UAB does, in fact, have a very successful research facility, and AKW donates tens of thousands of dollars each year to help fund the research.
T-shirts are available for purchase with a donation. White said selling t-shirts is because he wants to make it easy for anyone to participate and help.
“Everyone can wear a t-shirt,” White said. “At Paine, students make cards for cancer patients. At Golden Living, they have a pink party. Everybody can participate in this event.
“We’ve been blessed to have 100 businesses in the city to join with us. It begins in the schools and bleeds into the churches. All of it combined, raises awareness, but the t-shirts also raise money and that’s how we accomplish both goals.”