For Tallahassee breast cancer survivor Chelisa Huse, trusting her instincts made all the difference. Diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2024, just weeks after her 45th birthday, Huse began treatment at the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Cancer Center. “I’m a good example of, if something feels off, go get checked,” Huse said in a recent interview with First Commerce Credit Union, sponsors of the #FlamingoChallenge breast cancer fundraiser. “The support at the TMH Cancer Center was amazing.” Huse’s story reflects the impact made possible through the annual #FlamingoChallenge, led by First Commerce Credit Union in partnership with the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation. Together, the organizations raised $100,443.50 during the 2025 fundraiser, ensuring that every dollar stays in the community to support local breast cancer patients. Since its launch, the campaign has raised $500,000 for TMH’s Walker Breast Program. Funds from the #FlamingoChallenge help cover essential medical and non-medical costs, from life-saving imaging for uninsured patients to travel and lodging expenses for those receiving treatment far from home. “The Flamingo Challenge is about more than fundraising. It’s about people,” said First Commerce CEO Cecilia Homison. “When we see survivors like Chelisa sharing their stories and patients receiving support that eases the burden of treatment, it reminds us why this effort matters so deeply to our team and our community.” “We are incredibly grateful to our partners at First Commerce Credit Union and to all our community donors and sponsors for their dedication to supporting local breast cancer patients through the Flamingo Challenge,” said Nigel Allen, president and chief advancement officer of the TMH Foundation. This year’s #FlamingoChallenge introduced a creative new tradition with Franny the Flamingo, the official mascot of the campaign, symbolizing survivorship, resilience, and community support. Altrua Global Solutions, an in-kind sponsor, produced 5-foot flamingo cutouts for individuals and businesses to decorate and display throughout the community. Several local businesses participated in the inaugural Decorate a Flamingo contest, dressing their Frannies in imaginative themes such as “Mardi Gras,” “Vegas Showgirl,” and Wicked. The decorated flamingos were proudly displayed at TMH’s Cancer Center, spreading encouragement and color to patients and visitors.Huse participated in the contest by submitting a custom Franny inspired by Disney’s Coco, created with help from her son’s ESE class, adding a deeply personal and meaningful touch to the campaign. First Commerce members, team members and board members also contributed nearly $12,000 through internal silent auctions and fundraising initiatives. In addition, local businesses hosted events, donated proceeds, and offered customers opportunities to round up purchases in support of the cause. Participating businesses included Lucky Goat Coffee, Midtown Reader, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Premier Health Fitness, American Fitness and Kraft Nissan. First Commerce launched the #FlamingoChallenge six years ago, and since then, the fundraiser has raised more than $640,000 to support patients and programs at hospitals across North Florida and South Georgia. Winners of the inaugural Decorate a Flamingo contest:• Best in Flock (Best Overall): Arbor Properties, Inc.• Sassy Franny (Most Attitude): M. Darrh Bryant, DMD, Tracy M. Eckles, DDS• Fla-Mazing Franny (Most Creative): Southern Medical Group, P.A., Cardiology• Couture Franny (Most Stylish): Carroll and Company, CPAs• Judges’ Choice (Most Likely to Defy Gravity): Akerman LLP ###About the TMH FoundationTallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Foundation generates critical funding support for the programs, services and patients of TMH. Generous donors partner with us to solve complex, life-threatening problems and elevate the level of healthcare available to all in our community, making TMH a place of advanced care, healing and hope. Contributions to the Foundation are deductible by donors and/or their estates for federal income, gift and estate tax purposes. Members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees are community leaders charged with policy and oversight, managing the Foundation’s assets, distributing funds to TMH. About First Commerce Credit UnionFirst Commerce Credit Union is an award-winning, full-service, #LocalStrong financial institution dedicated to providing transformative change in the communities it serves for 85 years. As Tallahassee’s largest locally-based credit union, First Commerce serves more than 70,000 consumer and business members across North Florida and South Georgia and has more than $1 billion in assets. First Commerce has been consistently recognized for its community impact, including national awards for its annual #FlamingoChallenge, which the credit union spearheaded to raise $600,000+ since 2020 to benefit breast cancer patients throughout the region – and FCCU’s #LocalStrong initiative helping local businesses and people at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. First Commerce offers best-in-class consumer and business products and services along with the latest technology. The credit union also offers free financial literacy resources in person and online through the FCCU Foundation, as well as comprehensive financial planning and investment services through its subsidiary Six Pillars Financial Advisors, and commercial and personal insurance through First Commerce Insurance Agency. For details, visit FirstCommerceCU.org or call 850.488.0035 or 800.533.5772. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity lender.The post First Commerce Credit Union TMH Foundation Raise More Than $100,000 During Flamingo Challenge Benefitting Breast Cancer Patients first appeared on Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.The post First Commerce Credit Union TMH Foundation Raise More Than $100,000 During Flamingo Challenge Benefitting Breast Cancer Patients appeared first on Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. ...read more read less