It all started with a woman and a dream. Karen Wellington believed that even in the thick of cancer treatment, life deserved to be lived with joy. Today, her legacy lives on through the Karen Wellington Foundation for LIVING with Breast Cancer (KWF), which brings “Gifts of Fun” to women living with breast cancer—one spa day, one concert ticket, one beach getaway at a time.
Wellington, a longtime Cincy mom-soccer-coach-singer-painter-cake-designer, lived with breast cancer for 10 years—but she never let her disease define her. She dreamed of a world where women fighting breast cancer could get a break from the endless cycle of appointments and uncertainty. Instead of waiting until she was cancer-free, Wellington believed in LIVING fully with cancer…and helping others do the same.
After her passing in 2007, her family made that dream a reality, sending one family living with breast cancer on vacation that first year. Today, the Cincinnati-based nonprofit has gifted more than 4,000 women and their families with moments of joy—from girls’ trips and sporting events to beach vacations and skydiving.
“We put fun back on the calendar,” says Marketing & Events Manager at KWF Emma Hooi. “That could mean a relaxing trip to Florida or a girls’ weekend at Hocking Hills. It could also mean a zoo day, spa treatment or even just a night out at a Reds game. It’s about helping women feel like themselves again—not just someone battling cancer.”
For Mandy Geyman, those words took on deep, personal meaning. In January 2021, while 17 weeks pregnant with her second daughter, Geyman was diagnosed with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare and aggressive form of the disease. That same week, her oldest daughter, Lucy, just three years old, was diagnosed with autism.
“Things moved very fast once I was diagnosed,” Geyman shares. “Only one week after, I was sitting in the chemo center starting treatment as a pregnant woman…I ended up doing 13 rounds of chemotherapy. On top of cancer and baby appointments, we were on a new journey to find the best autism resources for Lucy. And COVID was still a big deal, so we had to stay physically isolated from most family and friends…our incredible support system surrounded us in so many creative ways—so we felt loved and not alone.”
Her husband, Matt, became the family’s anchor.
“He managed my appointments, sometimes 10 a week, researched resources for Lucy, handled all our medical bills and insurance claims and still worked full-time from a small desk in the playroom. He definitely had the harder job,” she recalls.
Three weeks after her final chemo session, Geyman gave birth to a healthy daughter named Hope. Two weeks later, she underwent a mastectomy, which revealed a complete response to chemotherapy. After 30 rounds of radiation and multiple surgeries, she had no evidence of disease. From diagnosis to reconstruction, her journey spanned nearly two years.
Amidst this whirlwind, Matt and a family friend nominated Mandy for a KWF Gift of Fun: a week-long beach trip to Naples, Florida, in July 2022—a chance not only for a vacation, but permission to dream again.
“Before that, I hadn’t let myself think about the future. I was cautious about making plans because the reality was, I was scared. I thought, ‘What if I’m not alive long enough to see the moment?’” Geyman recalls. “When KWF gifted me the trip, it was the first time since the cancer diagnosis that I had something planned for the future. It gave me a reason to look forward and to allow myself to be excited about it.”
That trip became a tradition. The Geymans now return to the same home each summer, forging a deep connection with the generous homeowners who donated the space.
“We’ve never met in person, but we stay in regular contact with them—they feel like our own family. Our kids ask how many more days until we go back to ‘our Florida home,’” Geyman laughs.
Now with no evidence of disease, Geyman gives back by nominating others and sharing her journey on her Instagram account, @WarriorMamaMandy.
“KWF provides something unique in acknowledging the importance of having fun and living life, despite the difficulties of a cancer diagnosis,” Geyman shares. “They remind us that we’re more than just cancer patients. We’re people with dreams and goals—and they encourage you to embrace them.”
“We’re not just giving gifts,” Hooi emphasizes. “We’re giving joy. We’re giving healing. And the reminder that life is still beautiful.”
These kind and caring acts remind these incredible families that joy and resilience can live alongside hardship, which is why KWF thrives on community support through donations of time, resources or simply nominating someone in need of a Gift of Fun. The 4th Annual KWF FUN Run 5k & Recipient Celebration in West Chester in August was a great success. Follow KWF online to get involved and find upcoming events, especially for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Their tagline says it all: More living. More giving. Less cancer.
KarenWellingtonFoundation.org | @kwfliving