October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month but February is pretty pink here along the Gulf Coast thanks to a group of ladies called the "Ya-Yas".
   
You will see them a lot during the Mardi Gras season.
In today's Buddy Check Three, Kathryn Daniel  shows us how hard the krewe works year round.
Krewe works year round.

They're the hit and highlight of local parades, a pack of pink ladies decked out in rosy wigs and glitzy gowns. For a decade the krewe de ya ya's have dazzled us with glamour and fun.

In between sparkling appearances. These women have raised a ton of money.
(("Close to a quarter of a million dollars which is unheard of.  We only have a 150 members but every year it never ceases to amaze me, we always come together."))
   
The ya yas did begin as primarily a Mardis Gras Krewe -- but quickly evolved into a year round fundraising machine.  Longtime member Tanya (Tonya) Young says board members  soon realized it was time to officially modify the mission.

(("Be better to change the bylaws and make us first and foremost a krewe was to all about raising awareness for breast cancer."))
   
This week they are fine-tuning the upcoming "All that glitters" ball.
 
Each month they have a major project, an annual golf tournament, the riding for a cure poker run, "Bras across the bridge event". They volunteer at Camp Bluebird and are a major presence at the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk every October. You will see them at the Snowball Derby and in four area parades always in their signature outfits, boas to embody the spirit of Mardi Gras. Pink to honor all mothers and daughters. Tiaras top it off to remind all women they are queens in their everyday lives.
   
Most of the money raised is used to provide local uninsured women free mammograms.

(("We felt very convicted, we really wanted the money to stay here in our community, cause it's our community that's made us so popular."))
   
The krewe does have some breast cancer survivors and most members have a connection to a patient...

(("My aunt just a few months ago was diagnosed with cancer but thanks to early detection it was found early and the odds are great."))

Buddy Check 3 February

	Buddy Check 3 May
	Buddy Check 3 April
	Buddy Check 3 March
	Buddy Check 3 February
	Buddy Check 3 January
	Buddy Check 3 December
	Buddy Check 3 November
	Buddy Check 3 October
	Buddy Check 3 September
	Buddy Check 3 August
	Buddy Check 3 July
	Buddy Check 3 June
	Buddy Check 3 May
	Buddy Check 3 March
	Buddy Check 3 February
	Buddy Check 3 January
	Buddy Check 3 November
	Buddy Check 3 October
	Buddy Check 3 September
	Buddy Check 3 August
	Buddy Check 3 July
	Buddy Check 3 June
	Buddy Check 3 April
	Buddy Check 3 (Triple Negative Breast Cancer)
	Buddy Check 3 January
	Buddy Check 3 December
	Buddy Check 3 November
	Buddy Check 3 October
	Buddy Check 3 (Mammograms)
	Buddy Check 3 (Buddy Up)
	Buddy Check 3 "Surgi-Shorts"
	Buddy Check 3 (Male Breast Cancer)
	Buddy Check 3 (Robyn Roberts)
	Buddy Check 3 (Dealing With Lymphedema)
	Buddy Check 3 (Surviving In Style)
	Buddy Check Ann L. Baroco Center
	Buddy Check 3
	Buddy Check 3 (Hereditary Breast Cancer)
	Buddy Check 3 October
	Buddy Check 3 Radiation and Breast Implants
	Buddy Check 3 "Breast Implants"
	Buddy Check 3 "Breast Implants"
	Buddy Check 3 (Mobile Mammogram Unit)
	Buddy Check3 (Young Mom Beats Breast Cancer Twice)
	Buddy Check 3 (Reach To Recovery)
	Buddy Check 3 For March
	Buddy Check 3 Janurary
	Buddy Check 3 (American Cancer Society Road To Recovery Program)
	Buddy Check 3 "Sondra Massraf Update"
	Buddy Check 3 (Anita Gardner)
	Buddy Check 3 (Sondra Massraf)
	Becomimg Aware Of The New Enhancements Available For Breast Cancer Patients
	Breast Feeding To Help Prevent Cancer
	Buddy Check 3 Free Breast Mammograms
	Buddy Check 3 May "Zee Merritt"
	Mammograms Are Life Savers (Buddy Check 3)
	Ya Ya Sisters (Buddy Check 3)