January is the time of year when we take inventory and evaluate the last twelve months. We look at what we got right, and what we got wrong. If we’re being thorough, we should also look at what we did that we shouldn’t have done, and what we didn’t do that we should have done. Hopefully, this helps us develop a more productive roadmap for the upcoming year.

Thankfully, for me, 2024 was a year of trying new things. I left my job, started a podcast, rebooted my communications company, and traveled extensively. Basically, I enjoyed the freedom that you feel after thirty-five years spent working long hours on deadline, with little to no flexibility. I also threw myself into volunteer work, something I’ve always done, but not to the extent that I did this past year.

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One big win for me in 2024 was connecting with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. I met Ann Pallasch at an event in Cary in October where I was presenting a workshop. She is the Vice President of fundraising for the organization. We had lunch, she invited me to the office, and the rest is history, as they say. I fell in love with their mission, and immediately realized that it aligned my passion with my purpose.

My mother died after a brain cancer diagnosis in 2012. I was her caregiver. Because of this experience, I’ve always looked for opportunities to create more awareness about brain cancer. What I learned about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is that they support research and fund programs that impact women battling all cancers, not just breast cancer. To date, they’ve given out $8.78 million dollars in grants. I also learned that the legendary North Carolina State University Basketball coach battled breast cancer on and off for twenty-two years at the height of her career. According to her assistant coaches and her players, she did this with strength and grace, never wanting her health crisis to impact the people around her in a negative way. Yow started the fund before her death as a way to support other women going through what she went through.

I am humbled to be the honorary chair and emcee of this year’s Celebration Run/Walk for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It’s an amazing day where survivors, family members, and friends come together to support one another and to celebrate Coach Yow’s remarkable legacy on and off the court. The even will take place February 1 at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Sign up here: https://kayyow.com/get-involved/celebration-run-walk/

So, as I head into 2025, I’m looking forward to another year of discovery. I will be looking for more opportunities to align my passion and my purpose because when it happens, it feels like a little bit of magic.