Go for the Cure kickoff sees record attendance

Battles of wits took place over tables with canasta, mahjong and other strategy-based games on Feb. 11 at the Longboat Key Club's Harbourside Ballroom. It was a day of fun with a purpose, as the record-breaking 150 attendees at the Go for the Cure games day helped raise funds for breast health.

Suellen Kaeb, chair of Breast Health Sarasota Inc., thanked the attendees for such an overwhelming show of support.

The organization promotes community health by facilitating health screenings and supporting those with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Asked what it means to her to see such strong support from residents, Kaeb said, "So many people here are already friends of Breast Health Sarasota and have been with us for a long time. It's very humbling."

She noted that all the event's proceeds, including the raffle, would benefit patients.

Photo by Dana Kampa

"The best part is that all the money raised here will stay here in the county, for men and women to get the breast health services they need," she added.

Breast Health Sarasota provides aid for preventative and support health services for those who are uninsured or underinsured.

Kaeb said she had spoken with a navigator with the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System just the day prior who said a patient canceled her biopsy appointment that would have cost $1,700 out of pocket.

"Every day, we get phone calls from people needing help, and times are getting harder," she added.

In 2025, Breast Health Sarasota helped 335 people with 111 mammograms, 132 diagnostic mammograms for follow-up appointments and 92 ultrasounds.

The organization has also helped facilitate a dozen minimally invasive biopsies, which can cost between $8,000 and $17,000, she said.

Tracy Cormier, Amy Renninger and Judy Brostron co-chaired the event.

Renninger said she believes members showed out in such numbers partly because breast cancer affects so many people, and members recognize the amount of support needed to help those battling it.

The games day is the preview event to the main golf day on Feb. 24.

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