Like many of SARRC’s earliest supporters, Cathy Luebke found out about the organization through passionate co-founder Denise Resnik.
“I met Denise Resnik shortly after starting with the Phoenix Business Journal in 1989 through her work as a PR [public relations] rep,” Cathy said. “She went on to be a co-founder and strong force for the development of SARRC, a powerful story that I followed as a journalist and individual. I attended many breakfasts, heard families’ stories, and watched the organization grow. As busy as Denise was with her work, she always had time for people she knows as they faced their own challenges and growth.”
Inspired by Denise and SARRC’s mission, Cathy decided to join SARRC’s Legacy Circle. “Both Denise and the organization have been an inspiration, and I wanted to help more,” she said about her decision to note SARRC as a beneficiary of her estate.
A Phoenix resident since 1984, Cathy grew up in Chicago and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in journalism. She worked as a reporter and editor across the country, but the highlight of her career was working for more than 20 years at the Phoenix Business Journal. While she is now mostly retired, she still writes a monthly car column for the popular Valley publication.
“I do not have children of my own, so I have made helping those in need [a priority] as I am able,” Cathy said of her choice to support SARRC and other nonprofits.
In addition to SARRC, Cathy is involved in the Phoenix Automotive Press Association and continues to write for various publications. “I also volunteer for Arizona Beagle Rescue and have offered to work with the local rep from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, another beneficiary in my estate,” she added.
In her personal life, Cathy is fond of spending time with her loved ones, including her “unofficial nieces and nephews.”
When it comes to SARRC and its mission to advance autism research and provide support for individuals with ASD and their families, Cathy wishes the organization nothing but the best—and knows that her support makes a difference in that mission.
“I hope that being part of the Legacy Circle will help the organization continue to thrive and grow for many years and bring about research that will continue to truly make a difference in the lives of those impacted by autism,” she said.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Legacy Circle member and ensuring the continued vitality and growth of SARRC’s services from one generation to the next, please contact Beth Salazar at [email protected] or 602-340-8717, ext. 1039.
