Karen McGee decided the best way to celebrate her 35th birthday—and her one-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor—was to throw a fundraising party to help others who, like herself, seemed much too young for their serious diagnosis.

“I wanted to do something to celebrate survival and get the word out about the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), which focuses on the needs of women and men under the age of 40 diagnosed with breast cancer,” says the Oakland attorney who underwent chemotherapy at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. “I decided to raise money to establish a fund that would reside at the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center and be used to pay for YSC educational materials for young survivors. YSC resources were a huge help to me.”

With the go-ahead from the breast center and YSC, and the assistance of two close buddies, McGee sent invitations to about 150 people, including family, friends, and co-workers, for the August 12 party at Suede nightclub in San Francisco. Proceeds from the $20 door charge, the raffle, and the silent auction totaled about $5,500 (some destined for YSC) and inspired McGee to plan on making her fundraising bash an annual event. “It’s pretty amazing what one person can accomplish,” she says. “People are really looking for a way to support worthy causes. You just have to give them a reason—and the opportunity.”