One of the main health objectives for the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is to assist in funding ovarian cancer screening and research at the University of Kentucky.   Since 1977 KEHA has partnered with the University of Kentucky’s Ovarian Cancer Research Project, donating more than $1,525,000 as of June 2020.  In 1977 when this program began, members were asked to donate $1 each per year.  Today, $1 of every member’s annual dues is contributed to the Ovarian Cancer Research Project.

An early detection trial which offers free annual screening is the main focus of the Ovarian Cancer Screening Research Program located in Lexington.  Women eligible for participation in the University of Kentucky Ovarian Cancer Screening Program are at least 50 years of age or women 25 or more years of age with a family history of ovarian cancer.

With the goals of raising funds for and bringing recognition to the Ovarian Cancer Research Program in the later part of 2019, the Taylor County Homemakers chose September 2020 to launch their first Flock for a Cure fundraiser. 

Individuals were offered opportunities to place a flocks of teal flamingos at the the homes and businesses of their families and friends for a donation to support the University of Kentucky Ovarian Cancer Research Program to “help fight this disease and bring a smile to an unsuspecting friend with a flocking by our Flocking Crew and our Fun-loving Flamingos!” 

With each flocking, a yard sign was placed that read, “You’ve Been Flocked by Taylor County Extension Homemakers a fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Research University of Kentucky Medical Center”. Attached to the back of the signs were letters of congratulations, information of who flocked them, unless done anonymously, and an order form to help them flock it forward. 

A total of 900 flamingos were placed at 159 homes and businesses in Taylor County.  The flocking raised $4,270!

An unexpected response to this fundraiser was the joy it brought not only to the Homemakers actively working on the project, but to the recipients of the flocks. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, recipients shared how much they appreciated just the interaction with someone else. There were reports of prayers and songs being shared during flockings. The flamingos made people smile.