Derby Divas™ was created by Sabrina Rosenbaum Hackett, to honor the memory of her mother and others who lost their battle against breast cancer.
After many years of attending the Kentucky Derby in my hometown of Louisville, I fulfilled a dream of a creating my own horseracing board game called Derby Divas™. It all began in the 1980’s with my first homemade game that I brought to friends’ Derby parties. Then, on April 8, 2005, when a girlfriend, Dr. Kathy Seibert-Miller, lost her fight against breast cancer, I was inspired to turn my game into something with a meaningful purpose.
During Kathy’s Celebration of Life at the Kentucky Derby Museum, we embraced her love for family, friends, horses, and fashion. Kathy loved to wear beautiful hats and shoes, and we all wore our best “Derby” attire for her special day of remembrance. Inspiring words were spoken about her positive outlook on life and fun-loving personality, including this message:
Whenever you buy a new pair of shoes, figuratively or literally, step out in style … with Kathy’s determined positive spirit and do something good for someone.
Being with Kathy’s girlfriends wearing their favorite Derby hats on that gorgeous sunny spring afternoon inspired me to produce this game and dedicate it in her honor. I decided to create the game to bring girlfriends of all ages together to celebrate life, embrace friendship, and support women who are fighting against this disease.
While creating the game, my daily dose of inspiration came from my mother who was continuing to survive breast cancer. Along with my business partner, Pam Patterson, we wrote the rules together. We play-tested the game. We dreamed of how it could someday benefit breast cancer research.
Once the game was developed, the talented Liesl Long gave it a unique style with her fashionable illustrations.
For over 22 years, my sister, Kathi Rosenbaum, and I watched the incredible strength and courage shown by Mom as she was told that cancer had returned six times, each time spreading further throughout her body.
Our loving and caring mother taught us to believe that reaching the finish line was just the start of a whole new race.
We were amazed at how bravely she accepted the news. How bravely she faced the treatments with a smile, and how she inspired so many with her positive outlook. They never heard her ask “why it returned” or “why her” … our Mom believed in creating and embracing the life you were truly meant to live and to enjoy the beautiful journey.
On December 22, 2008, she lost her battle with breast cancer. And we gained her fighting spirit.
The game is dedicated in memory of Mom, my mother-in-law, Peggy, and friends like Kathy, who fought to survive breast cancer. Through our Roll For A Cure™ program, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of our games is donated to various breast cancer initiatives.
Derby Divas™ Game creator, Sabrina Rosenbaum Hackett, (L), and her mother, Shirley Stinnett.
Through our Roll For A Cure™ program, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of our game is donated to various breast cancer initiatives.
