Alexis with Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Alexis Yennie Baker is just 27 years young. As a Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® volunteer over the past 6 years, she has made a commitment to herself and to the organization to help reach the next generation with breast cancer education, awareness and action.  Baker wanted to become a part of a group that empowered women to take care of their health, and for her it all started with simply signing up to hand out brochures at the annual Komen Denver Race for the Cure, held the first Sunday of October at the Pepsi Center. Her participation in that first event has since evolved into a passionate partnership.

As the head of the Young Women’s Group, one of seven proactive groups that make up the Komen Denver Education Committee, Baker is responsible for activities ranging from organizing a Pink Basketball game to hosting breast cancer awareness sessions for women in High Schools and Universities. This year, the Young Women’s Group is also helping to put on the 1^st Annual Pink Rodeo at the National Western Stockshow that will take place this Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 11:00am. Komen Denver will receive $2.00 for every ticket sold through a special Komen group offer. Click here to purchase tickets. The Young Women’s Group can’t wait to watch the bull riders master the arena dressed all in pink!

In 2011, Komen Denver Affiliate was honored to work alongside 500+ dedicated men and women that, like Alexis, volunteered for activities ranging from community education to fundraising activities. Volunteers provide the core strength of our organization. In addition to the Young Women’s Group, other Affiliate Education Groups include:  the African American Group, the Regional Strategies Group, Underserved Populations Group, LGBT Group, Speakers Group and Health Fair Group. The audience and activities of each group varies, however the common goal is to empower people of all ages, ethnicities and lifestyles with knowledge of breast health and cancer.

The fight is not over. The need for volunteers is great and it is our hope that you join in helping us to realize our vision of a world without breast cancer.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, the first step is to attend an orientation session. The next session takes place on Saturday, January 28^th. If you’re interested in joining, please contact Rhianon Schuman, Mission Coordinator, for additional details at RSchuman@komendenver.org.

What is Bakers’ advice for potential volunteers? “Just go for it. The perception is that the program is vast and it’s difficult to know where to start. That first step will bring the next one. And at Komen Denver, the more you give, the more you get.”