In its 12 years on campus, Frogs for the Cure has raised over half a million dollars, had over 15,000 volunteers take part in its music videos and helped TCU become the first university in the nation to partner with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
The Final Frogs for the Cure Celebration celebrated these achievements with survivors, music, and dancing throughout the event.
Various participants from musicians to cancer survivors took the stage to show their appreciation and stories from working with the organization.
A common theme emerged during the various speeches made by the guests: admiration and love for Ann Louden.
Melanie Wilson, CEO of Cancer Care Services told Louden: “My life is definitely better because you entered it.”
Louden established and chaired the organization. She announced last month that she will be leaving TCU for a position at Adelphi University in New York.
Musician and TCU alum Tim Halperin said Louden is “excellent in everything she does.”
Halperin, who provided the music for the first Frogs for the Cure music video, said he was proud to be part of this TCU experience.
“After the first couple of times I was around the cancer survivors in this community and saw the way they approached life, the zest they had for it, and the way they showed appreciation to those around them when the gift is what they gave to us, that was enough for me to want to be part of it,” said Halperin.
The event also honored Cancer Care Services, which partnered with Frogs for the Cure during its fall 2016 halftime show. At the end of the event, Louden presented Melanie Wilson, a representative for Cancer Care Services, with a check for $25,013.
Louden said the president of Adelphi has already approached her to bring a Frogs for the Cure like event to their campus.
As for the future of Frogs for the Cure at TCU, Louden said she is uncertain.
Louden said there are many limitations to someone willing to step into the role to lead Frogs for the Cure. She said someone would have to be willing to dedicate a large amount of time to the organization.
“There’s a group of wonderful people that make this happen with me, but it has to be generated by a person, and I don’t know that there is someone who would want to sacrifice so much time,” Louden said.
