MADISON, WI--(Marketwired - Dec 3, 2013) - Widen Enterprises, makers of digital asset management software (DAM), announced that the company has helped Funk Out Cancer raise $41,296 for the University of Wisconsin Paul C. Carbone Cancer Center. As the presenting sponsor of the event, Widen had the privilege of rallying customers, partners and local businesses behind a great cause, and hosting an unforgettable evening for the Madison community.
Funk Out Cancer is an annual concert and silent auction that celebrates the life, perseverance and inspiration of Kate Gates Falaschi, wife of Al Falaschi, customer marketing manager at Widen and the founder of Funk Out Cancer. Kate 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 October 19 at Madison's Barrymore Theatre, Funk Out Cancer featured music from Youngblood Brass Band, Mama Digdowns Brass Band and Phat Phunktion. Thanks to sponsor Clear Channel Media + Entertainment Madison, the emcees of the evening were two of Madison's favorite sports radio hosts: Phil Dawson of The BIG 1070 AM and Van Edwards from WIBA 101.5 FM.
Generous donors made more than 50 items available for the evening's silent auction. All funds generated from the silent auction, ticket sales and corporate sponsors were earmarked for the UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center where Kate was treated.
On Tuesday November 26th, Widen presented a check for $41,296 to the Carbone Cancer Center to be used specifically for colorectal cancer research conducted by Dr. Dusty Deming. Including the $33,000 donation from the previous Funk Out Cancer event, Widen's two year total exceeds $74,000 donated to cancer research.
"Kate has touched many people's lives in a great way," said Dr. Dusty Deming. "Through this great event inspired by Kate and the money raised, we hope our research will provide better treatment strategies for patients with cancer."
"It's hard not to set expectations when planning an event like this, both in terms of the entertainment, and in the amount we'd like to donate," said Al Falaschi. "I'm happy to say that our expectations were exceeded in every way."
Funk Out Cancer would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the event sponsors: Clear Channel Media + Entertainment Madison, Ron and Jennifer Skoronski, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Badger Max, M3 Insurance, Hollister, Exact Sciences, Ross Simons, Baker Tilly, Suttle Straus, Tri-North, La-Z-Boy, Mason Companies, Monkey Bar Gym and the Oshkosh Invitational Golf Tournament.
A video of the musical portion of the event will be available on www.funkoutcancer.com. Downloaders will be given the option to make a donation to Carbone Cancer Center.
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 marketing 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 events in 2009, 2010 and 2013, Funk Out Cancer has donated $99,296 to cancer research.
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.
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Widen has honed its more than 60 years of experience in premedia services and color management specifically for assisting customers with building brand equity and supporting consistent brand representation across print and Web communications. Through its inventive suite of Web-based digital asset management applications, Widen software services provide marketing networks with real-time, Web-based access to clients' digital asset libraries, subsequently eliminating manual search and file preparation time, costs related to replacing images and videos that cannot be located, and added costs for hardware, software and upgrades. For more information, visit: http://www.widen.com.
Contact Information:
Jake Athey
Marketing Manager
Widen Enterprises, Inc.
608-443-5472
