The Touched By Cancer Foundation is a Missouri Not-For-Profit organization (IRS "501(c)(3) status" is pending) that was created in early 2002 "to create and increase awareness of cancer, educate cancer patients and raise funds to aid in research to find a cure". Two deep cornerstones within this mission statement are (1) the need for bonafide second opinions PRIOR to entertaining surgical options AND (2) the need for continued use and funding of the national cancer centers (e.g. M.D. Anderson, Duke University Medical Center, etc.).

This organization is the brainchild of Lori Lober, who at the age of 36 was diagnosed with STAGE IV, metastatic breast cancer and was given realistically 18 months to live. Lori not only beat those odds but through the use of the Foundation's cornerstones, is in her 16th month "NED" (no evidence of disease)! Throughout her battle with cancer, Lori has felt uniquely blessed by many things-her family and friends, her faith, her unwillingness to accept cancer as a "death sentence" and her willingness to pursue the best methods of treatment that are available, "conventional" or otherwise.

The Foundation was formed to "give back" what Lori and others like her have learned in their battles with cancer-either with themselves or those close to them that they love. Several methods are being employed to advance the purposes of the Foundation but one of the most important is the Foundation's approach to raising funds to support the Foundation's efforts. The "Building For A Cure" Designer Show Home is a concept to raising funds that has not yet been duplicated across the nation!

Through the assistance of Provence Homes, Inc. by John Lober and all of its main subcontractors and suppliers, a designer show home has been built in the Staley Farms new home community in Kansas City North. The outstanding home is currently available for purchase for $409,900.

Katie Harman, Miss America 2002 has accepted the Foundation's invitation to speak about her year as Miss America and her platform of the last year, metastatic breast cancer awareness. She will speak of how proud she is to be involved in the nation's first-ever designer show home of this kind and push for Kansas City to serve as a nationwide prototype for builders.

Mayor Kay Barnes will "thank" the KC metro suppliers, subcontractors and designers for working together to create the "Building For A Cure" show home. She will talk about how proud she is to have this first-ever designer show home begin in Kansas City. (It's another example of KC pulling together.)

Lara Moritz will emcee the events (ribbon cutting and gala) and she will address the issues of the Foundation, but also her passion of promoting breast cancer awareness.

From October 21-27th during "Breast Cancer Awareness Month", the "Building For A Cure" show home will be open to the general public, who can come and view the home and it's contents that have all been designed and decorated by area businesses and interior designers, but also receive important information about cancer and all of the available treatment options.

After these events, all of the "profits" from the building, development and sale of the show home will be used by the Foundation via The American Cancer Society to support those organizations that most appropriately meet the Foundation's goals and objectives. (A representative with The American Cancer Society will be present to "thank" the Foundation.)

In future years, the "Building For A Cure" show home concept will be duplicated in other parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area, as well as in key areas across the nation. Just like the first "Building For A Cure" show home concept, the Foundation has been built and will be expanded until "cancer" is torn down and demolished from our existence.