Categories: BlogProject NewsVolunteer Highlight

Meet our December Volunteer of the Month

This month, we would like to recognize Rebecca Maniago, a volunteer who is doing a lot to help us with so many different things related to the Bottoms Up Bash Planning Committee! We greatly appreciate all of her hard work to help raise awareness and support the Colon Cancer Prevention Project! Learn a little bit about Rebecca below.

*How did you get involved with The Project?

I am a pharmacist at the same oncology office as Whitney Perry and she sent an email out to the whole group about the Bottoms Up Bash seeking volunteers. I lost my aunt to colon cancer at the age of 52 a couple years ago so I immediately felt a pull towards working with this group. My aunt was never one to miss a party so I know this event would be right up her alley. It makes me happy to be part of an organization with so many people focused on such a great cause. I believe in the importance of prevention and in early screening for colon cancer so it makes me feel good to help people who otherwise would not have access to such screening.

*Why Louisville?

I moved to Louisville from Lexington in my final year of pharmacy school at UK. My now husband lived here and it seemed like a natural move for me to make in my life at that time. I’ve lived here almost 7 years and could not be happier with where I am. I have a 3 year old son, a 9 month old daughter and an amazing husband to come home to each night. I love working in oncology and helping people with cancer.

*Favorite restaurant in Louisville?

It’s hard to choose a favorite, as Louisville has such an amazing culinary scene and my husband and I enjoy eating good food and drinking good wine. I would say my two favorite fine dining restaurants are 610 Magnolia and Le Relais. When we go out to eat with our kids it’s definitely El Nopal. Mexican restaurants are noisy and fast, which make them perfect for kids.

*What is one interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?

Before I went to pharmacy school I took a year off of college and lived in Tokyo and Miami as a model. It was an experience I will never regret and living abroad at such a young age taught me so much about myself and ultimately led me to the path I am on now.

*What is your motto you live by?

Family is everything.

*What is some advice you were given long ago and still live by?

Work hard for what you want in life.

*What is your guilty pleasure? (Yes, we mean the one you are slightly embarrassed to admit.)

See above. Good food and good wine. I also love to play craps at the casino.

*If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
I would love to go to Italy. My husband has family there and I want to meet them. Plus, I hear the food and wine are fantastic. 🙂

***Thank you, Rebecca!***

Amanda Smart