Founder Anna Patras came up with Billy Goats for Throats while out on a run in August of 2015.  

 

Her best friend had recently lost her father to esophageal cancer. Growing up “Papa T” was like a second father. The loss hit especially close to home because the very same cancer had taken her Uncle Peter seven years earlier. Both Papa T and Uncle Peter were larger-than-life characters and had profound influences on her life.  

 

Anna wanted to do something. A then Minnesotan originally from Chicago, she started brainstorming ways to raise awareness and funds while bringing together the communities she loves.

 

Eventually the idea was born, playing on the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat, which was said to have been placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game because his pet goat's odor was bothering fans. Outraged, Sianis declared, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

 

The Cubs are playing great and Sianis’ Curse may be in jeopardy. If the cubs can overcome a 100-year drought, we can join together to overcome esophageal cancer. The Billy Goats for Throats fundraiser will be held annually until the Cubs break the curse and win the World Series. 

 

2015 update: In a few short weeks during 2015, two groups of over 25 "goats" trained and completed a 5k, 10-mile or half marathon in Chicago and Minneapolis on the weekend of Halloween. There were also a handful of honorary "goats" who couldn't make it to Minneapolis or Chicago that weekend and instead ran the New York Marathon (go Uncle Jim!) and Wisconsin (kudos to Steve for breaking in the goat costume!). These runners raised nearly $5,000. 

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2016 update: Patras was randomly selected during the "chance to win a postseason playoff single game ticket sale" and was able to purchase 3 tickets. Perplexed on how she was going to decide who to invite, the idea to have a bid-off was born. Bonnie Drew and the entire Drew/Huffman family generously donated over $600 and were gifted the postseason playoff ticket for their generosity. Other donations were made through this event and we are so thankful for everyone's kind hearts. 

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Current update: As we all know the Chicago Cubs continued to go on and win the 2016 World Series. As promised, the Billy Goats for Throats events were held annually until the Cubs broke the curse, however the donations  to the Mayo Clinic Esophageal Cancer Department continues to this day. 

 

If you have any questions please contact Anna at annaepatras@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest in supporting the Mayo Clinic Esophageal Cancer Department & The Billy Goats for Throats.

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