Karen’s Story

In Karen’s words, “I’m basically a mom, and I dabble in a lot of other things.” Yeah, a lot of things. Karen raised two young kids with her husband, played tennis, coached soccer, became an accomplished painter, ran a successful freelance retail merchandising business and even sang in a local band, “The Snake Oil Salesmen.” And LIVED with breast cancer for 10 years from the age of 30 to 40.

Karen liked to plan parties. She loved celebrating for others. She didn’t like the limelight, but she was the best birthday cake designer in town. She was always the first one on stage and the last to leave the party.

There also were many days where Karen just felt lousy. She was as human as any of us. Karen was very involved in her kid’s daily lives, volunteering as a room mother, pizza mom and soccer coach for both her kids. She spent far more time thinking of others than herself. When Karen’s kids, Angeline and Robby were young she would take them and their friends ‘reverse trick or treating’ during Halloween. Decked out in their October best, the kids would pass out candy to all the women in the chemo chairs at Dr.Cody’s office in Cincinnati. Oftentimes to those with a less aggressive diagnosis than Karen had herself. Her love for giving to women like her started early and has since been carried on far beyond what she could’ve ever imagined.

Karen set an extraordinary example for all of her friends and family as someone who was courageous and victorious in overcoming obstacles with tenacity, faith, kindness and laughter, (lots of laughter) and above all else, love. Her light will shine brightly forever in the hearts of her family, friends and the thousands of women impacted by the mission of her foundation.