Cochranites can expect cups full of fun for a good cause at Team Ta Ta’s upcoming Boozing for Boobies fundraising event on Sept. 17 at Lucky Penny Pizza.
Cochrane resident and Leader of Team Ta Ta’s Kathie Geleta is excited to bring the breast cancer awareness and fundraising initiative to the community she’s called home for many years.
“We have hosted most of our events in Calgary because a lot of our big sponsors are in Calgary,” Geleta said. “But we decided this year we would support local and stay in Cochrane.”
Guests will enjoy a cod fish fry dinner, a performance by Atlantic Storm Band and a 50/50 silent auction. All proceeds raised through the event will support the Alberta Cancer Foundation to fund research and community support programs.
Team Ta Ta’s journey started in 2005, when Geleta was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. After winning her battle in 2006, her two daughters, Kaitlyn Law and Nicole Geleta-Weal, suggested the family participate in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60-kilometre walk.
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I saw a lady walking down the street with a shirt that said ‘save the ta-ta’s,’” Geleta said. “And my husband said: ‘Well, if you are going to put a team into the 60-km walk, you should be Team Ta Ta’s! Because you’re all about saving the ta-ta’s!'”
Since then, Team Ta Ta’s has hosted a variety of breast cancer-themed fundraisers and events. Working alongside the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Team Ta Ta’s has raised $850,000 to help fight breast cancer in the last 16 years.
Geleta worked with roughly 30 Cochrane locals to organize the event this year, and said the community contributed in a variety of ways.
“We have been around to a lot of the businesses in Cochrane and I am absolutely overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of the community,” Geleta said.
Kaitlyn Law, another founding member of Team Ta Ta’s, is excited for Boozing for Boobies to come to Cochrane. She remembers the town as where their journey began, and looks forward to working in the community again.
“It’s like going back to our roots and where it all started and going back to the town that supported us,” Law said.
“It’s been really overwhelming, the amount of support we’ve had already from various centres around the town and local shops that want to get involved what we’re doing.”
Team Ta Ta’s member Nicole Geleta-Weal echoed her colleague’s sentiment, adding she is humbled by all the work they have done.
“It’s just nice that we are in a community that rallies together to support causes like this and local groups like us,” Geleta-Weal said.
Everyone from Team Ta Ta’s invites residents to participate in Boozing for Boobies by purchasing their tickets at p2p.onecause.com/teamtatas For other information or donate to Team Ta Ta’s, residents can visit their Facebook page or website.
