Katie's Crusaders of Waukee Earn Big Money in the Pink Well Challenge

Katie Mangan has 22,000 more reasons to be happy these days.

Mangan, and more specifically, , Mangan’s non-profit that raises money for women fighting breast cancer, was just named one of 20 finalists in the Pink Well Challenge.

The Pink Well Challenge is a national campaign spearheaded by the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation. Lester Smith, a West Texas oilman, battled cancer for the better part of two decades. Now cancer-free, Smith is dedicated to challenging people to dig deep (thus, the Pink Well) to finance breast cancer research and awareness.

On Oct. 15, Smith chose 20 finalists from a pool of 150 non-profits who met or exceeded their fundraising goals. The Pink Well Challenge matched the money raised by each of the 20 finalists.

Katie’s Crusaders, fresh off its Oct. 8 walk/run event in Waukee's Centennial Park, exceeded its $20,000 goal by about $2,000. Mangan said the group would receive matching money from the Pink Well Challenge.

“I was blown away by the participation and the support of all the people that came out came out this year,” Mangan said. “We had about 350 paid participants and another 40 to 50 volunteers at the race and we ended up raising right around $22,000.”

The money raised to date will help four women from Iowa who are fighting breast cancer. The money from the Pink Well Challenge will go toward supporting next year’s crusaders.

Next up for Mangan, more chances to win in the Pink Well Challenge. Katie’s Crusaders could win $50,000 if they raise the most past their predicted $20,000 goal and $145,000 if they raise the most overall. Those winners will be announced on June 2, 2012, National Survivor Day.

Mangan said any additional monies raised would allow Katie’s Crusaders to support more women and their families in their fight against breast cancer.

“We will start next year with $22,000 right from the get-go,” she said. “With that, we could very well could hit $40,000 to $50,000 to help more families in the area. It will allow us to do a lot more next year.”