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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/aurora/community/chi-ugc-article-send-a-smile-todaytm-named-a-semifinalist-in-t-2014-06-11,0,4381933.story

Send A Smile Today Named a Semifinalist in the LIVESTRONG Big C Competition

Posted By Send A Smile Today, Community Contributor

4:01 p.m. CDT, June 11, 2014

AURORA, IL – June 11, 2014 – Send A Smile Today was selected as one of 168 semifinalists to move on to the second phase of the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s inaugural Big C competition, aiming to change the way the world lives with cancer. Send A Smile Today will now compete for one of 20 spots in the contest’s next round, the venture accelerator program.

Headquartered in Aurora, Send A Smile Today is competing in the Health category. Send A Smile Today is unique because while some charitable organizations raise money for cancer research, provide cancer screenings, give trips to treatment, and donate wigs, their sole purpose is to provide hope, love, and support to those going through cancer treatment by sending uplifting cards in the mail on a regular basis.

Send A Smile Today’s founder, Kim Whitehouse, is a breast cancer survivor, and she launched the non-profit organization in May 2013 in order to provide emotional support to cancer patients by sending them handmade and store bought greeting cards.

“There were days when I was going through my treatments where I was feeling low, then I would get a card in the mail and it would brighten my day and give me hope and encouragement,” said Whitehouse. “It made me feel loved and not forgotten. To get a card showed me that someone took time out of their day to let me know they were thinking of me.”

“All 168 entries have the potential to be game changers in improving the lives of people affected by cancer now,” said Heather Wajer, VP of marketing at the LIVESTRONG Foundation. “We’re so thrilled with the quality of the entries and are lucky to have so many entrepreneurs interested in helping cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.”

According to the American Cancer Society in 2014 there will be an estimated 1.6M new cancer cases in the United States. Send A Smile Today will let those with cancer know that they are never alone in their cancer journey by providing hope, love, and support.

The 168 remaining entries represent possible solutions to the biggest challenges people affected by cancer face following a diagnosis, according to LIVESTRONG Foundation research. Of the remaining ventures, 20 will move on to the venture accelerator phase from July 14-Sept. 15, where contestants will be paired with cancer survivors and business mentors to turn their ideas into action.

On Sept. 29, five finalists will be announced and flown to Austin, Texas, to present their innovations during the Ride for the Roses weekend, where the grand prize winner will be selected. Sixty ventures will receive a total of $140,000 in seed funding, based on their innovation’s utility, ingenuity and benefits to cancer patients and survivors. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000.

About Send A Smile Today

The sole purpose of Send A Smile Today is to provide hope, love, and support to those going through cancer. The mission is to let cancer patients know that they are never alone by sending them caring cards in the mail on a regular basis from time of diagnosis through treatment to survivorship. Send A Smile Today is a service provided by the Kim’s Crew Foundation, an Internal Revenue Service approved 501(c)(3) organization. The organization is funded by donations of handmade cards, store bought cards, blank white envelopes, and Forever stamps as well as monetary donations. Handmade cards are made by individuals, groups, and service organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, service hour project groups and various other organizations that give back to the community. The card making events provide self-esteem and empowerment to those making the cards as they give back to others. For additional information or to get involved please contact info@sendasmiletoday.org or visit www.sendasmiletoday.org (launching 7/1/14.)

About the LIVESTRONG Foundation

The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. Created in 1997, the Foundation is known for providing free cancer support services and advocating for policies that improve access to care and quality of life. Known for its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has served 2.5 million people affected by the disease and raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors. One of America’s top non-profit organizations, the Foundation has been recognized by industry leaders including Charity Navigator, the National Health Council and the Better Business Bureau for its excellent governance, high standards and transparency. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

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