On March 23, 2006, twenty-five ordinary men and women were honored for their extraordinary accomplishments in their local communities for the fight against breast cancer with a special dinner held at the Conde Nast Headquarters in New York City.
Yoplait,
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and
SELF Magazine conducted a search across the nation to find worthy individuals who have exemplified themselves as champions.
There was not a dry eye in the room as each individual was introduced for their amazing undertakings through a video and each story was more compelling than the next. Each champion had been touched by breast cancer in one way or another. Some are patients, survivors, advocates, as well as family members of breast cancer victims. These real-life heroes are from seventeen different states throughout the United States. "It's an honor to recognize the Yoplait Champions for their dedication to the fight against breast cancer," said Camille Gibson, Vice President of Yoplait. "These real-life heroes are truly inspiring and I am in awe of their courage and strength."
Yoplait honored these champions in conjunction with the
Save Lids to Save Lives in a promotion that ran from March 15 through May 15. Yoplait will donate ten cents to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for every special pink lid that is saved and mailed in through July 31, 2006. Yoplait is willing to donate up to $1.5 million dollars with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000.
The honored individuals were: (Everyone not shown here.)
Ethel Kessler, designer of first breast cancer semi-postal stamp
Sarah Copeland, founder of LibLines
Tammy S. Greyshock, founder of "Laugh for the Cure"
Martha Kaley, founder Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test
Carmen Gonzalez, survivor who passes on strength to patients at Texas Tech University Breast Cancer Care Center
Nancy A. Ryan, working so that breast cancer can not threaten women's lives
Barbara Hensley, founded Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation
Cookie Aftergut, personally helped more than 300 women through her program ChemoChic
Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, helped secure $5 million in funding for breast cancer treatment for uninsured women
Fran Robinson, dedicated the past 20 years to breast health education
Dorothy Slator Paterson, educated young women about breast cancer such as "In the Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness" badge for girl scouts
Faye Dietiker, founded Breast Cancer Angels
Jana Peters, founded The Ribbons of Pink Foundation
Heather Pick, as an anchorwoman proves to viewers that cancer does not mean the end of daily life
Genne' McDonald, encourages women with cancer to become more physically active and to "SurVIVA La Difference"
Jeff Popkin, works with The Ellie Fund and will be the forefront of innovative family care
Christine Smith, leads the Northwest Hope and Healing Foundation
Karen Parker-Chesson, developed creative ways to educate people and raise money for research
Debbie Mancini-Wharff, organized an annual Crop for the Cure event
Sharon L. Bassett, co-founded the Sharon L. Bassett Fund
Becky Haddad, committed volunteer to the Komen Foundation
Denise O'Neill, founded the Survivors Offering Support mentoring program
Shaney Jo Darden, co-founded Keep a Breast Foundation
Diane Youngblood, established the Diane Youngblood Endowment Fund for Breast Care Services and
Kathy Cawthon, co-founded The Cancer Crusade
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the young age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure® to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, The Komen Foundation has raise $750 million for the fight against breast cancer.
SELF Magazine is the preeminent healthy lifestyle magazine for women. SELF debuted 26 years ago as the first-ever magazine of total well-being, incorporating health and beauty, fitness and nutrition, and happiness and personal style all in one package. SELF is the creator of the Pink Ribbon and has long been dedicated to the issues of women's health and breast cancer awareness. More than five million readers turn to SELF each month and is published by Conde Nast Publications
For more information about the Save Lids to Save Lives program visit Yoplait.com. To view all of the champions and their bios, please log onto: www.yoplait.com/breastcancer_champions.aspx
For information about breast cancer and breast health visit www.komen.org or call the Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1800 I'M AWARE (1.800.462.9273).
Photography: Ms. Kristen Somody
