About Us
The Tralee & Kelee Ringo Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to eradicating Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Our efforts target women of all backgrounds to raise awareness and provide education on this specific cancer that commonly affects women under 40 years old. We also cater directly to women of color as this demographic is the most disproportionately affected by Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Our focus is on pursuing equitable initiatives that prioritize outreach, education, prevention and treatment to improve outcomes for all women.
Our Story
Kelee Ringo, 2023 NFL draftee to the Philadelphia Eagles and two-time national champion at the University of Georgia, would not be where he is today without his mother, Tralee Hale. Likewise, Tralee, a passionate breast cancer survivor and advocate, would not be where she is today without her son.
Amidst Ringo’s freshman year at the University of Georgia in June 2020, Tralee was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. For nine months prior, Tralee neglected a noticeable lump in her breast. At the age of 39 with no family history of breast cancer, Tralee was in denial about the possible risks and unaware of early detection methods. Triple Negative Breast Cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that disproportionately affects women of color under 40 years old.
Tralee received chemotherapy treatment in Arizona and then Georgia to be closer with her son. Without her son in Arizona, Tralee experienced extreme loneliness along with the harrowing symptoms associated from treatment. Eventually, Hale underwent a bilateral mastectomy. In early 2021, Tralee experienced complications that caused sudden delays and restarts in treatment. While Tralee battled in treatment, Kelee battled on the field winning the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2022 with the University of Georgia. Following this accomplishment, the family received incredible news one month later — Tralee was cancer-free.
After a nearly two-year fight, Tralee won but she was not done fighting. Tralee turned to advocacy to raise awareness for breast cancer and help women just like her. Tralee and Kelee teamed up with Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer to donate over $100,000 to St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, Georgia.
The inception of The Tralee & Kelee Ringo Family Foundation originated from their existing efforts and commitment to fighting breast cancer. With the support of Kelee’s representation agency, The Familie, and medical technology company, Hologic, the Ringo Family Foundation is set to make a difference to positively impact the lives of all women.