MADISON, WI--(Marketwired - December 04, 2015) - Widen Enterprises, makers of digital asset management software (DAM), announced that the company has helped Funk Out Cancer raise $53,023 to fund research in Dr. Dustin Deming's lab at the University of Wisconsin Paul C. Carbone Cancer Center. As the presenting sponsor of the event, Widen had the privilege of rallying customers, partners, local businesses and family and friends behind a great cause, and hosting an unforgettable evening for the Madison community.
Funk Out Cancer is a biennial concert and silent auction that celebrates the life, perseverance and fun-loving spirit of Kate Gates Falaschi. Kate, the wife of Al Falaschi who is an employee at Widen and member of the band Phat Phunktion, battled cancer for three years before passing on May 6, 2009. She asked friends to organize a memorial concert for her if she ended up losing her battle, and Funk Out Cancer was founded to honor that wish.
Held on November 14th at Madison's Majestic Theater, Funk Out Cancer featured music from Phat Phunktion and Willy Porter. Thanks to sponsor iHeartMedia of Madison, the emcees of the evening were two of Madison's favorite radio hosts: Phil Dawson of The BIG 1070 AM and Robin Colbert of WIBA-AM.
On Thursday December 3rd, Widen presented a check for $53,023 to the Carbone Cancer Center to be used specifically for colorectal cancer research conducted by Dr. Dusty Deming.
Including the $75,000 donation from the previous two Funk Out Cancer events, Widen's three year total exceeds $128,000 donated to cancer research.
"This year's Funk Out Cancer was an amazing event. I am so grateful to all those who make this event happen including Widen and the other sponsors," stated Dr. Dustin Deming, research oncologist. "It was also really motivating to see everyone who came out to support the event. I cannot express how much the generous funds mean to moving our research forward. The money donated this year will go towards developing new personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients."
Funk Out Cancer would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the event sponsors: iHeartMedia Madison, Ron and Jennifer Skoronski, CapSpecialty, Baker Tilly, M3 Insurance, Exact Sciences, Suttle Straus, Steelcase, Tri-North, Associated Bank, Merrill Lynch, The Isthmus, 100 State, and the Oshkosh Invitational Golf Tournament. Other generous donors made over 40 items available for the silent auction. All funds generated from the silent auction, ticket sales, corporate sponsors, and cash donations were earmarked for the UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center where Kate was treated.
"Funk Out Cancer was created by friends and family of Kate," stated Al Falaschi, employee at Widen, and husband of Kate. "Making sure that the vibe of the event does not get too corporate and maintains the feel and spirit of everything Kate stood for is critical. Widen, along with the other sponsors, masterfully enabled it's employees, used its connections, and donated resources in the right places and at the right times to allow the event to organically grow and maintain its grassroots rock concert feel. It felt like a party and a celebration, not a corporate fundraiser."
Video and images of the of the event will be available on www.funkoutcancer.com.
About Funk Out Cancer
Catherine Helene Gates Falaschi was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006 at the age of 29. Just a week before, Al Falaschi, Widen's video manager, had proposed to Kate. Over the next three years, Kate fought the disease with strength, grace and an inspiring sense of humor. Before her passing, she asked friends to organize a memorial concert for her if she ended up losing her battle with cancer. Funk Out Cancer was organized to fulfill her wish. After four events, Funk Out Cancer has donated over $153,000 to cancer research at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
About the UW Madison Carbone Cancer Center
UW Carbone Cancer Center holds the unique distinction of being the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, as designated by the National Cancer Institute, the lead federal agency for cancer research. An integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the Carbone Cancer Center unites more than 280 physicians and scientists who work together in translating discoveries from research laboratories into new treatments that benefit cancer patients. More than 30,000 people are seen annually for diagnosis, therapy, follow-up care or consultations at UW Hospital and Clinics, as well as our other clinical locations. UW Hospital and Clinics is consistently in the top 25 of 50 hospitals providing the best cancer care and research efforts in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Hospitals", which is published annually. Most recently, UWHC was named the number one hospital in Wisconsin in this report.
About Widen Enterprises, Inc.
Widen is a marketing technology company that powers the content that builds your brand. Leveraging cloud-based resources, Widen delivers configurable, scalable, and cost-effective digital asset management solutions to help you easily store, search and share your digital content. Organizations of all sizes use Widen's SaaS DAM solution, the Media Collective, to streamline their marketing and creative workflows and make their content work harder. Widen is trusted by hundreds of thousands of users around the world at organizations like LG, Roche, Trek, Cornell University, New Orleans Tourism Marketing, The Atlanta Falcons, Red Gold Tomatoes, Electrolux, and Yankee Candle. To learn more about Widen, go to http://www.widen.com.
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Contact Information:
Contact:
Jake Athey
Marketing Director
Widen
608-443-5472
jathey@widen.com
