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| The Sprit of Hope was commissioned by the Race Against Breast Cancer, Inc., to give tribute to the courage of women who face the challenge of breast cancer in celebration of survivors and in memory of those who have lost the battle. Sculptor - |
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The Spirit of Hope Tribute Sculpture
In 1997, breast cancer survivors
approached The Race Against Breast Cancer, Inc. Board of Directors to
propose a lasting tribute to honor the courageous women who have faced
breast cancer--both to celebrate survival and to honor those who have lost
the battle. After acceptance,
The RABC formed the “Spirit of Hope” committee which included women
who were breast cancer survivors and those still receiving treatment.
In July 1998, the committee chose to commission a bronze sculpture with the assistance of Deggingers Foundry of Topeka and local artist and sculptor, Janet Zoble.
Zoble created three preliminary sculptures that were made available for various levels of contributions to the sculpture project. These included a color print made from the original “Spirit of Hope” painting, a silicon bronze medallion, and a cast silicon bronze 22” maquette.
The “Spirit of Hope” project was launched at the RABC’s annual 5K Run/Walk in October 1998. Simultaneously, efforts were initiated to secure a permanent location for the sculpture at Washburn University. Pink salsbury granite base was chosen for the base which contains three bronze plaques detailing the dedication, the major benefactors and a poem which was written by a friend of the project.
In January 2000 the sculpture was completed. Cast in silicon bronze, with dove and earth base in nickel bronze, the statue stands 9 feet tall and weighs over 500 lbs. Installed at the northeast corner of the old Whiting Fieldhouse on the campus, the sculpture was donated to the university and is the reality of a combination of many very generous contributions.
May 7, 2000, was the official dedication ceremony. Since that time, two beautiful pink granite benches have been installed as a tribute to committee member Karen Rodeheffer who lost her battle with breast cancer. The sculpture has touched many in the community for whom breast cancer is an intimate experience. During the creation of the Spirit of Hope, two prominent founding members of the tribute committee, Betsy Davis and Karen Rodeheffer, died of complications due to breast cancer. Their brave struggle, and that of so many women like them, is what this tribute honors.
The “Spirit of Hope” tribute sculpture became a reality due the generosity of many people:
The Race Against Breast Cancer Board of Directors
Committee members: Pam Alexander, Betsy Davis, Michelle Hoferer, Diane Koger, Sherrill Hilbert, Pete Stern, Karen Rodeheffer, Valerie Smith, Stephanie Weiter.Tim Degginger, Deggingers Foundry and Janet Zoble for their vision, generosity, inspiration and talents which produced this beautiful tribute.
