How long have you been holding your Bunco For Breast Cancer event?
We held our maiden tournament in October of 2006.

How has your event grown over the years?
Our first tournament held in 2006 had 82 participants resulting in a donation check in the amount of $8,200.  In 2007, we had a 44% increase in participants (118) and increased our donation amount to BCRF by 73% to $14,073.  We anticipate that our numbers will keep growing .

Do you set fundraising goals for each successive event?
We sit down in the annual planning meeting and set our goals for participants and the dollar amount we want to raise.  We set these numbers exceptionally high as we feel it causes us to work harder during the events leading up to the tournament.

How much have you raised to date?
The Bunco Beauties 4 Breast Cancer raised $34,049 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  We feel this is an amazing amount of money for what originally was planned to be a $2,000 to $3,000 event our first time out!

What motivates you to organize Bunco For Breast Cancer events?
Each of our Beauties has tried to describe their feelings as a tournament concludes and reflections begin on what we did right … what we could have improved upon. Collectively, our motivation for each tournament is the amazing feeling we walk away with knowing in some small way, we’ve made an incredible difference.  The difference is not necessarily in the funds raised, but in carrying out our mission of getting educational information out to each of our participants and seeing the camaraderie and friendships grow. 

Do you have a personal connection to the cause?
Three of our Beauties are Breast Cancer survivors; one for 22 years; another for more than two years; and the third is currently waging her toughest battle to date.  We’re extremely connected to each other and feel that the battle belongs to each of us. We’re friends … we’re sisters … we share the sorrow, we share the battle,  we share the joy.

Do you have any words of wisdom for first-time event organizers?
Remember, whatever you raise is that much more than you started with.  Many times we are hesitant to take that first step for fear of failure … this is a win win for everyone.  You’ll feel incredible at the completion of your first event and will waste little time making plans for your second. 

To what extent does The Breast Cancer Research Foundation figure in your decision to hold a Bunco For Breast Cancer event?
We did a great deal of research into the various breast cancer organizations and felt that BCRF was the right fit for us.  The cooperation and assistance we’ve received in the past two years has been amazing and we’re confident that our partnership is beneficial for all.  We’re very proud to be affiliated with BCRF and are grateful to share this journey with them.

See photos from Anna's latest Bunco for Breast Cancer event!