Kristi Blair is devoted to her mission to end breast cancer and the support her nonprofit Wings of Karen received in 30 days could help make significant strides toward that goal.

With some $250,000 funds raised by the Bra Dash 5K in September, the Pink Carpet gala and the Gina Grant Beats Breast Cancer Zumba event in October, Blair, who founded the Maple Valley based organization, said the trio of events were an incredible success.

All that money will go toward research in the region, Blair wrote in an email interview.

“We are looking to fund a Tumor Vaccine group at UW led by Dr. Nora Disis, a leader in immune therapy,” Blair wrote. “A $100,000 dollar grant will help a

trial that prevents reoccurrence in women with Her2 Neu negative, Tripe Negative and ER positive breast cancer, called the triple agent vaccine.”

It does not stop there, though, Blair wrote.

“We are also looking at designating WOK funds to world leaders in the fight against breast cancer, Dr. Julie Gralow (and) Dr. Tony Blau whom are starting an innovative and well-respected approach to solving the mystery of cancer,” Blair wrote. “An admirable undertaking spear headed by Dr. Blau to personalize cancer treatments to give the best possible results by dramatically increasing the knowledge of breast cancer. He has managed to connect over 70 experts in study of cancer and 12 organizations to join this venture that will begin first part of 2015 for The Center of Cancer Innovation. Promising future ahead and Wings of Karen is thrilled to be a part of it! Directly funding projects such as this needs to occur to change the face of this disease and its all happening here.”

Next up is a meeting with Mary-Claire King, another researcher at the University of Washington who discovered the BRAC 1 gene, which is the only known genetic link to breast cancer. Blair wrote that King’s mission to understand where the disease starts you can stop it before it takes hold, something she believes in and supports.

Good news for Wings of Karen does not end there, however, as Blair wrote about how KIRO in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks chose the organization as its charity of choice, Blair wrote.

Partnerships abound, too, as WOK teamed up recently with another Maple Valley based nonprofit, the African Promise foundation to sell a bracelet which will offer many positive outcomes.

“This inspiring foundation, led by an extraordinary woman Suzy Gilles contributes 100 percent of its funds raised to the mission it was created for like Wings of Karen,” Blair wrote. “Suzy tirelessly donates her time to help raise Ugandan women from poverty and to become local heroes within their communities.”

This effort has been in the works for some time, Blair added.

“I am so honored to partner with her and her work by creating a bracelet made by these incredible women in Uganda,” Blair wrote. “This bracelet will benefit both organizations to empower women around the world. One hundred percent of the funds will benefit this united effort. A project both Suzy and I have been working on for over a year and our first round of bracelets will arrive in just a few weeks.”

For more information on Wings of Karen, log onto www.wingsofkaren.org.