Founded by a breast cancer survivor, Wings of Karen has been making a mark in the Pacific Northwest by raising and directing funds to local research institutions in the battle against breast cancer.

Kristi Blair, a Maple Valley resident, started the foundation in honor of her mom, Karen Denmark, who battled breast cancer for three years before finally succumbing to the diseason in 2008. In that time, Kristi educated herself on the devastating details of the disease along with the funding needs of various research institutions, and started “Team Karen” as a way to honor her mom’s battle and raise funds for a cure.

Only three years after her mom’s death, Kristi fought her own battle with breast cancer in 2011, and with her own four girls in mind and women battling this disease everywhere, has since dedicated her life to supporting local institutions who are conducting innovative and promising research that will one day lead to a cure.

With such a wealth of internationally-renowned research centers in our own back yard, it’s a popular approach to raise funds that will keep innovation, research, and talent local. It doesn’t hurt that the research is some of the most promising in the world.

For more information about Wings of Karen, visit their website at WingsofKaren.org.