Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer and Renasant Bank on the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer 2026 (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 984)
On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes back Kristen Petillo, executive director, and Jason Porter, board chair, of the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer (GAABC), along with Shelley Katzef of Renasant Bank, the presenting sponsor of the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. The 24th annual walk takes place October 3 and 4, 2026, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly, where about 600 walkers and volunteers will cover anywhere from 10 to 30 miles.
Kristen explained how GAABC works through an alliance of vetted partner nonprofits, sending money raised in Georgia back into Georgia communities for mammograms, diagnostics, physical therapy, utility bills, and fertility preservation for young women. She shared the story of a survivor and former GAABC staff member whose spouse lost a job and the family’s medical benefits with it the day before a scheduled annual mammogram. The imaging center had a grant-funded program for survivors in exactly that situation, and the grant came from GAABC.
Jason, now in his 18th year with the organization, first got involved after losing his mother to breast cancer, and his wife was diagnosed last year. Shelley described Renasant’s third year as presenting sponsor, with the commercial lending, mortgage, and treasury teams joining the retail branches this year. After raising $68,000 against a $50,000 goal in 2025, she has set a personal stretch goal of $100,000.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- The 24th annual Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is October 3 and 4, 2026, based at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly, and it brings together about 600 walkers and volunteers.
- Every dollar GAABC raises stays in Georgia, flowing through partner nonprofits to fund screenings, diagnostics, and practical help that keeps patients in their homes during treatment.
- One in eight people will receive a breast cancer diagnosis, and 49% of uninsured women delay or go without care, which drives GAABC’s focus on prevention and access.
- Renasant Bank has expanded participation across its North Georgia region this year, and Renasant customers can give through their banker’s link or QR code.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:20 John Ray opens the show and previews the 2026 walk
01:33 Kristen Petillo, Jason Porter, and Shelley Katzef join the conversation
02:12 GAABC’s mission and founding in 2002
02:48 Why every dollar raised stays in Georgia
03:56 Rural communities and the alliance model of partner nonprofits
06:04 Jason’s 18 years with GAABC and his family’s connection to breast cancer
07:03 How a diagnosis affects the entire family
08:47 A survivor’s mammogram, covered by GAABC grant funding
11:18 Survivorship, prevention, and access to care
12:09 The 24th annual Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer
13:38 The walk weekend as a healing community
14:49 Renasant Bank’s third year as presenting sponsor
17:13 Shelley’s $100,000 stretch goal
19:07 How Renasant customers can give, plus a local restaurant fundraiser on September 28
21:00 Corporate and volunteer support for GAABC
21:33 Nearly $21 million raised and details for October 3 and 4
22:47 Year-round ways to get involved
23:17 Closing thoughts and gratitude
24:19 Where to learn more
Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer (GAABC)
The Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that strives to support Georgia’s breast cancer community by raising funds to support breast health and breast cancer programs throughout the state.
In 2002, breast cancer survivor Randi Passoff founded GAABC. Inspired by the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk, Randi envisioned a gentler, more welcoming event and so launched the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.
Rather than walking 60 miles over three days and camping out, participants now walk 30 miles across two days and stay in hotels. Best of all, every dollar raised here in Georgia stays in Georgia, supporting local survivors and initiatives.
The Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is the organization’s premier fundraising event. Since 2002, the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer (formerly the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer) has raised nearly $21 million to fund grants that provide breast cancer education, screening, early detection, support services, and continuing care for Georgians in more than 100 counties.
The Georgia 5K Run for Breast Cancer is a family-friendly run/walk event that celebrates breast cancer patients and survivors while raising funds that help support programs serving Middle Georgia.
Connecting communities with the mission, the Celebrating Survivors Breakfast series allows breast cancer patients and survivors to enjoy a complimentary breakfast while exploring topics unique to their lives with the help of an expert panel.
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube
Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio
Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.
Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
Approaching 1,000 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio is located at 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the author of the five-star-rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.
