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Exactly seven years ago, on Easter Sunday morning, April 16, 2017, at 4:58am, Becky Gisburne-Baker peacefully passed away from stage IV breast cancer. I held her hand as she took her last, labored breath. She had fought the disease for four years. Once almost six-feet-tall and 130 pounds, she was now 5'8 and 60 pounds. One of the last things she said to me was, "I am just sorry that no one will ever remember my name."
The following month, in May of 2017, I launched the Becky Baker Foundation in an effort to prevent breast cancer through early detection by offering free breast cancer screenings and to make sure that no one would ever forget her name.
In the past seven years, the foundation that bears her name has given away thousands of these free screenings.
Today, free screenings are more available than ever before, so our requests for screenings has dropped dramatically.
As a result, I partnered with The United Breast Cancer Foundation, and together we were going to provide free goods and services to hundreds, if not thousands of breast cancer families in Southern Colorado. 10 Gaylords of product per month would have distributed thousands of products to needy breast cancer families. It was a massive undertaking that would have taken the foundation to the next level.
But, this takes money. Those who know me, know that I cannot, will not, ask for donations. It's not who I am. The financial need for this new venture was well publicized, with little results. That was my answer and I'm just fine with it.
In the past seven years, I have helped fund the foundation with hundreds of thousand of dollars from my personal finances. I cannot do that any longer, and I am sure Becky understands.
So, it is on this day, April 16, 2024, that the Becky Baker Foundation will cease all operations.
In these past seven years, I have made life-lasting relationships with so many across the country who have fought, and won, their battle against this evil disease. I have also lost some dear friends to breast cancer (as we all have) along the way.
The many fund-raising golf tournaments that we produced for the foundation were special times I will never forget. My partnership with Texas Roadhouse and our annual Thriver's Luncheon was a special joy for me. The Bank of Colorado has been a huge supporter and partner. The #Race4Prevention Tour in the 200mph wrapped Nissan GTR that I drove cross country through 42 states, was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Quick side story: The day I picked up the GTR, I knew little about it other than 0-60 in 2.4 seconds. I stopped to get gas, and at the station a father approached me and asked if his son could see the car. I agreed and invited his 12-year-old son to sit in the driver's seat. I asked him if he knew the car and he said, "It is my dream car. I know more about this car than Nissan does." I asked him if he could show me how the 32 different gauges worked and he went zip, zip, zip and showed me all the gauges. Was a great time.
So many other stories like this from the hundreds of you who have supported the foundation with your time, money and prayers in these past seven years. Thank you Barb, Mike, Kathy Reeves, Doug Howe, Dan Monks, Carla Garcia,, David, Rick Hendrick, and the many, many others who have made this foundation what it has become. You are all my heroes.
The foundation leaves as one of the highest-rated breast cancer foundations in the nation, having been awarded the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency for all seven years. Becky would be proud of this rare feat.
**The number seven is God’s special number, as it signifies _spiritual perfection and completion,_ something Becky experienced seven years ago and lives in eternity today.**
I will probably never know how many women and men were saved as a result of Becky's death, and it doesn’t really matter. They know, and God knows who they are. That’s all that matters.
Our Facebook page and website will remain online but will be changed to become a celebration of what the foundation accomplished. Neither page will be monitored or updated, nor will anyone be able to post..
Once again, thank you to all who have supported The Becky Baker Foundation these past seven years and please pay attention to your body and do all you can to prevent breast cancer.
The Becky Baker Foundation is a Platinum-Rated, IRS recognized charitable organization. While it maintains its 501C3 status, it is currently not operating. The foundation ceased all operations on April 16, 2024, the seven-year anniversary of the passing of Becky Baker. The website remains published online as a permanent tribute to Becky. It is not monitored and all posting is turned off.
Copyright © 2024 The Becky Baker Foundation - All Rights Reserved.
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