In the Kitchen with Team Towanda Foundation

The inspiration behind Team Towanda foundation is the story of a woman who fought and survived a battle with breast cancer, thanks to the support of great friends and great healthcare.

While receiving treatment, Judith realized that many women facing the same health challenge were not receiving the same standard of care that she was receiving — because they were not covered by health insurance. Believing that every woman deserves the same care, she shared her concern with friends, and Team Towanda Foundation was born with the vision of helping uninsured women receive mammograms and other breast-related services.

It was this group of girlfriends that helped Judith write a cookbook, 'The Charge of the Casserole Cavalry', to share her positive experience, and to give tips and advice for friends of those fighting cancer. The cookbook was a huge success — over 16,000 copies have been printed to-date.

Their second book, 'Towanda Celebrates with her Bosom Buddies' picks up the story 10 years later when Alison was diagnosed and focuses more on the big lessons we all learned along the way. It’s cliché and unrealistic to expect a survivor to spend every waking moment in a state of gratitude for each and every breath she takes . But we do find it important to stop and enjoy more of the great moments life has to offer, and what better way than with little celebrations along the way? This book also gives lots of specific ideas for celebrations and practical tips for everything from decorations, to music, to determining your guest list.

All proceeds go directly to women in need. Team Towanda Foundation is an all-volunteer organization. It became a certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2002, and they are a recognized United Way charity. To date, they have donated over $260,000 to the community to pay for mammograms for uninsured women, purchase equipment for the Breast Health clinic, and to support mobile mammography which brings services out into the community.