Wyatt Pickner fundraising for 9th Annual Powwow for Hope: Distancing for Life, Love & Hope
Wyatt Pickner
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From Wyatt Pickner
My name is Wyatt Pickner (Hunkpati Dakota) and I’m the Research Manager at AICAF. I'm fundraising in honor of my aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents who have been diagnosed
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About Me
Growing up I was surrounded by a huge family that has provided me with so much guidance, support and love no matter where I was or what adventure I was on. My Auntie Helen was with my mom on the night I was born and the first person to hold me. Since then, she has given me so much inspiration, courage and strength to follow my dreams and stand up for what I believe in. She taught me many things like how to tie my shoes, show up for those I love and the power of humor, especially during the hard times. Exactly 22 years after my Auntie welcomed me into this world, she made her journey to the spirit world after fighting cancer for many years. Almost every day I think about my Auntie Helen, as well as my Uncle Sonny, my Grandma Margaret, my Auntie Carole Anne. I think about how cancer influenced their lives and wishing there was more I could have done to help them. Now I have the opportunity to contribute to reducing cancer in our communities, so I do this work in honor of these relatives. I’ve learned so much about the health, well-being and resilience of our communities. I’m incredibly grateful for the teachings and guidance I have been given. I look forward to helping reduce the burden of cancer, because to me this is not just a job, it’s honoring those who are no longer with us, it’s providing support and taking care of our families and communities, it’s a way of life. This is what we as Native people have always done and I will continue to do.
More Info
Distancing for Life, Love & Hope:
Powwow for Hope is a nationwide fundraiser for the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) that honors loved ones who have faced or are facing cancer by creating a space for healing. Proceeds benefit the American Indian Cancer Foundation’s work to eliminate cancer burdens on Native families across the nation. This year, we are pivoting to a virtual fundraiser taking place from Wednesday, July 1 to Monday, September 7, 2020.
Cancer kills more Native people than any other disease. Donations from this event help AICAF further its work to eliminate cancer burdens on Indigenous communities throughout the country through improved access to prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivor support.
Join us in this fight against cancer by starting a Fundraising Team! Because this event happens digitally, you can participate from anywhere in the nation by donating or starting a fundraising page.
Proceeds from past events have allowed us to create and deliver culturally-relevant cancer prevention resources to more Tribal and urban communities, connect Indigenous cancer survivors and caregivers to healing and supportive services, and partner with more Tribes so we can change the outcome of cancer in our communities.
Let's do more! We cannot make this happen without you! Last year Fundraising Teams were successful in raising $57,000 that helped support:
- development of AICAF’s Indigenous Pink and Turquoise Tuesday campaigns, allowing us to engage more clinics and communities, and deliver screening reminder cards, infographics, and swag items to more tribes
- national survivorship outreach, allowing us to share new Indigenous cancer survivor stories and expand our Survivorship Program to include more resources for caregivers
- redevelopment of our two websites, both of which allows users to easily navigate pages, access resources, and connect with our team
This year we have an ambitious goal to raise $100,000, but we cannot do it without the support of our Fundraising Teams! Join us in our mission to improve health outcomes for Native families everywhere by getting involved in the 9th Annual Powwow for Hope.
Find resources and materials for your Fundraising Team on our website. If you need assistance starting your Fundraising Team, please contact [email protected].
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