From Co-workers to Friends: Creating a Community of Support Around Cancer

“I walk to keep my husband’s memory alive,” reflected Krissy Owens, talent acquisition specialist at Red Wing Shoe Co. Since 1989, Red Wing Shoe Co. and S.B. Foot Tanning Co. employees and retirees come together every fall with one goal: to raise funds for cancer research.

“When I was 27, my husband was diagnosed with a very rare cancer,” said Krissy. “Two years later, he passed away. To have my friends, family, and co-workers come together to raise money for cancer research means the world to me.”

For over 30 years, Red Wing Shoe Co. volunteers have participated in the all-night event, Mississippi Shuffle – Relay for Life, benefiting the American Cancer Society. Through fundraisers and sales of luminaries to honor a loved one who has had cancer, the volunteers quickly created a community within Red Wing Shoe.

Red Wing Shoe Co. Mississippi Shuffle 2019 Team

“It makes you feel like people really care,” said Wendy Mann, cancer survivor and customer experience trainer at Red Wing Shoe Co. “They are interested in not only your work but your personal life. It gives you that comfortable feeling of being wanted.”

As a cancer survivor, Wendy found community and friendship with her fellow co-workers through Mississippi Shuffle. Now, as the Red Wing Shoe team captain, she leads the organization in sample sales, baking sales, online donations, barbeque lunches, and other fundraising initiatives – all to support cancer research. 

“We’ve seen the team expand to include family members and friends,” said Wendy. “I don’t think there is anyone that hasn’t been touched by cancer. It’s inspiring to hear the survivor stories at Mississippi Shuffle and to know what those families are going through.”

Wendy and her daughters, Kelsey and Bailey

On the night of Mississippi Shuffle, participants used to walk throughout the night, symbolizing that cancer patients and families don’t get a break from cancer. While the event has changed over the years, Red Wing Shoe participants agree that it’s not about walking but raising money and supporting fellow community members impacted by cancer.

For Krissy, the Mississippi Shuffle also holds a special memory for her and her daughter, Kaleigh Lastine. “My daughter Kaleigh was four years old when her dad passed away from cancer,” reflects Krissy. “In 2017, her now husband proposed to her at Mississippi Shuffle, in front of the luminary honoring her dad. You never want to lose memory of the people that you’ve lost, and her dad was able to be part of this special moment.”

Gage Lastine and Kaleigh Lastine engagement in front of her dad's luminary in 2017 at Mississippi Shuffle

Kaleigh, a leather development administrative assistant at S.B. Foot Tanning, continues to join her mom and co-workers to raise money for Mississippi Shuffle – Relay for Life and cancer research.

“Everyone knows someone impacted by cancer,” said Krissy. “Mississippi Shuffle is a way to support the cancer survivors and those that have lost their loved one.”

Red Wing Shoe and S.B. Foot Tanning employees can learn more about participating in Mississippi shuffle here and search by team “Red Wing Shoe” or “Foot soldiers.”