Meet Lauryn Weaver, chairwoman of No Worries Now DFW, a nonprofit focused on making sure teens with a life-threatening illness get the opportunity to go to prom. Weaver, who lives in Trophy Club, is building the local organization from the ground up and has secured a venue in Southlake for the fall event. It was her own personal tragedy that inspired Weaver to dedicate her time and energy to this cause, having lost her mother to cancer. Weaver wants to make sure the difficult cancer journey is made easier by helping teenagers to forget about illness for a few hours and enjoy what should be a glorious rite of passage: prom night.
We wanted to know a bit more about Weaver. She was kind enough to answer a few questions about herself, No Worries Now and the many families the organization plans to help.
Dawn Tongish: Please begin by telling us about No Worries Now DFW.
Lauryn Weaver: No Worries Now is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the well-being of teens with life-threatening illnesses now. Our annual prom will make an immediate impact on our patients’ emotional wellness by providing an escape from daily treatment schedules and a chance to dance – especially for those teens who may not live long enough to attend their own proms. No Worries Now DFW will host our first prom November 20, 2014 at the Hilton in Southlake. The event is for terminally ill and chronically ill teens between 13 and 19 years old.
DT: What are your duties at No Worries Now DFW?
LW: As the No Worries DFW Chair I am responsible for organizing the first DFW prom. I oversee all aspects of the DFW chapter including fundraising, media relations, community outreach and event planning. I would not be able to do any of my duties if it wasn't for the other three wonderful women on my team that are giving all of there spare time to this cause as well. Since this is our first year in DFW we are all in this together and it has been a great experience so far.
DT: How did you become involved with No Worries Now DFW and why are you so passionate about the work being done at the organization?
LW: I saw first learned of No Worries Now through the Brooke's Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation Facebook page. Brooke's foundation had made flower headbands for the patients to wear at the prom. I started researching No Worries Now and immediately knew I wanted to become involved in the organization. After a year-long application process No Worries Now DFW was formed and now we are working on our first prom! I am so passionate about No Worries Now DFW because I like the idea of making an immediate difference for these teens. I can't wait to see the smiles on their faces at our first DFW prom!
DT: Why do you work in the non-profit sector?
LW: After I lost my mother to cancer in 2012, I made it my goal to do something meaningful with my spare time. My mom volunteered at her oncology clinic and found so much joy in it so that is what led me to find something like No Worries Now.
DT: It can be difficult for any nonprofit to pay the bills. How do you stay afloat?
LW: No Worries Now DFW already has some great support from the community. Kendra Scott and Warehaus Dallas have both supported No Worries Now DFW by hosting shopping parties. We have a bowl-a-thon and a poker tournament coming up as well to help our fundraising efforts. We are also about to start reaching out to our community to find sponsors for our first annual Prom that will be held November 20, 2014! Also, Our Hometown Deal is supporting us through the month of May. You can select to support our cause and charity, No Worries Now by selecting us when making a purchase. We have also reached out to local high schools for support with a dress drive. We know there are many young ladies willing to help us with donated dresses. Please watch for our local website, which we debut very soon. There will be lots of information and updates and ways for the community to get involved and help.
DT: How can the people of North Texas and beyond help you meet your needs for 2014? What are your biggest needs?
LW: Since No Worries Now DFW is new to the area this year we are looking for sponsorships from businesses and families in the community. Attend one of our fundraising events, purchase a t-shirt, make a donation no matter how big or small. Spreading the news about No Worries DFW is also a huge help. Share our Facebook page, tell your friends and family. Our biggest need this year is to be able to raise the funds to hold our first prom event in November so we can continue to grow No Worries Now DFW for years to come!
DT: What is the most memorable moment in your experiences at No Worries Now DFW?
LW: There is a tie for most memorable moment so far at No Worries Now. The first being when I got the call saying the DFW was selected as a new No Worries Now Chapter. I was so excited to get started. The second would be when we picked the Hilton in Southlake Town Square as our 2014 venue. The staff at the location is just as excited about No Worries Now as we are, and I couldn't be more excited about partnering with them.
DT: What is the first thing you do when you walk into work each day?
LW: At the start of every day, I check my emails and then read the news while getting my morning caffeine fix . It helps me get into work mode and I like knowing what is going on in the world.
If you'd like to nominate a local resident for a BubbleLife community profile, contact Dawn Tongish at dtongish@yahoo.com or find her on Twitter at @DawnTongish.