Friends raise funds, fun for a cancer cure
A group of friends and fellow graphic designers are putting their talents to work to help area breast cancer research efforts.
Team GiGi has begun training for, and raising funds for, the Spokane Race for the Cure, an annual area fitness event to benefit breast cancer programs. One of the team’s upcoming programs is an evening at the Boulevard April 4.
The fund-raising gathering will include drink specials, items for sale and music by Formada, Larren Wolford and Pain Under Envy. All the cover charges that evening will go to the team.
Team GiGi was designed to support Virginia Southmayd, a resident of Port Angeles, Wash., and the mother of Spokane resident Monica Ziegler.
Ziegler decided to do more to help her mother and cancer patients after Virginia was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I just couldn’t believe it — I thought the tests were wrong,” said Monica. “I immediately decided to support her in every way possible. No matter how much work I had to miss, I’d find a way to be there for her.”
At first, Monica and her husband made many long trips to be with her mom for doctor’s appointments, treatments and supportive visits.
Then, she decided to do more, and started rounding up friends to put together a team for the local Race for the Cure, a national program that has races in hundreds of locations. Spokane’s is April 20.
The team was called GiGi, after Monica’s mother’s nickname. Creative team members came up with designs, funny breast cancer-themed slogans for T-shirts and buttons, and more unique, creative promotional items.
“Like me, most of my friends are graphic artists, and we have enjoyed coming up with the creative slogans and designs,” Ziegler said. “When I emailed out the shirt design and pricing info, my friends and I immediately sold many shirts via email, some as far away as Texas and Georgia.”
The official team slogan is “BOOBIES — Hug them. Love them. Save them.” It can be seen on brown T-shirts with pink lettering and buttons.
In addition to organizing the upcoming Boulevard event and future fund-raisers, members of Team GiGi continue to try to keep Virginia’s spirits up. She finished her last round of chemo in February and is doing well.
“We are excited for this event and very grateful to the Boulevard for their contributions to our team,” Monica said. “We think it will be a success and hope we sell all of our funny shirts and buttons.”
Team Gigi’s fund-raiser April 4 begins at 8 p.m. at the Boulevard, 333 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.