“Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” –Steel Magnolias
In 2005 a small group of women were getting ready for the Breast Cancer 3-Day charity walk when they met to decide their team name. Their teammate, Kelly Rooney, a 42-year-old with five children and stage-three breast cancer, came up with a humorous play on words, and suggested their name be, “Save 2nd Base.” She designed a t-shirt for their team as they got ready for the walk. By the time the Breast Cancer 3-Day arrived Kelly was too weak to participate, but her teammates wore the shirts and were approached with great enthusiasm for their take on the old baseball euphemism.
Kelly was relentless in her pursuit of wanting to prevent her four daughters from ever facing the same disease. In July 2006, she asked her sister and close friend to do whatever they could to make sure that her girls don’t get breast cancer. Rooney’s sister Erin O’Brien Dugery and friend Kelly Day trademarked the Save 2nd Base tagline and began selling the T shirts online and in boutiques.
Kelly Rooney died on July 11, 2006 at age 43, leaving behind a husband and five children. She had no family history of the disease which she bravely battled for four years.
Fifty percent of profits from Save 2nd Base go towards The Kelly Rooney Foundation. The foundation was formed to continue Kelly’s hope for her own daughters and for young women of their generation to be breast cancer free.
Save 2nd Base’s goal is to provide exposure for the mission of The Kelly Rooney Foundation. Each shirt has the potential to spread awareness of a beautiful person and the mark she left on the world. To date, Save 2nd Base has donated more than $30,000 to the foundation which bears her name and to other Breast Cancer non-profit organizations.
As you and your family gear up for baseball season, why not consider supporting this important cause with some humor and a great-looking shirt or accessory? Save 2nd Base t-shirts and accessories can be purchased at www.Save2ndBase.com.
Look who Found the Marbles has two t-shirts from Save 2nd Base to give away to our readers. To enter, simply leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts on saving 2nd base.
Two winners will be chosen at random. Entries valid through 4/7/2011.
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Do you know someone who has Found the Marbles? Send an email to Jessica@FoundtheMarbles.com.
Leave your comment below!
Look who Found the Marbles did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. We did receive one t-shirt from Save 2nd Base as a ‘thank you’ for writing the post on their behalf in addition to the two t-shirts Save 2nd Base has supplied for the giveaway. Please see the Disclosure policy on this site with any questions.
I have a friend doing the walk this year… their tagline is “Tough Ta-Tas.” Here’s hoping that they find a cure soon, and thinking of all those families who support or have lost mothers to breast cancer.
Love that baseball hat! Thanks for sharing this.
I love the hat, and the shirts! Thanks for the chance to win a shirt.
Wow – I never knew the story behind Save 2nd Base, but have always loved it in a “fight pain with humor” kinda way. I am training for my first Race for the Cure event — coming up in a few weeks. I have really been impressed with the power and passion behind Komen and other breast cancer awareness vehicles. We will find a cure.
I’m conducting a social media experiment, of sorts. I believe in the power of social media and I think if it’s harnessed – it can do amazing things. I’ve asked my friends, family and readers to help me spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and more — will you help?
http://www.sarahmcow.com/my_weblog/2011/03/1000-good-reasons.html
I think “Save Second Base” is a clever and great way to raise awareness. Thank you for this opportunity. I’m going to place an order anyhow…maybe then I’ll have two
Was I one of the lucky winners?