$190,000 awarded to 17 Bay Area non-profits  

The April 4 Grants Reception held at the Acqua Hotel was an inspiring and heartwarming evening as we honored the dedication and commitment of our 2011 grant recipients. Donors, sponsors and volunteers celebrated the work of 17 Bay Area organizations that serve women and men dealing with breast cancer. Reception photos
 Read more about our 2011 recipients

 

2011 To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation Grantees at the April 4th Grants Reception, Acqua Hotel, Mill Valley Patty Spinks Photography

Chris is a familiar face at To Celebrate Life. Her path as a volunteer started on the Stepping Out runway in 2003...and led all the way to president of the Board of Directors. For the last six years Chris has worked with the model committee, spearheading the fashion team that selects outfits and arranges fittings for the Stepping Out models. In 2008, Chris was invited to join the board. "I was blessed to get my wish which was to be part of the grants committee," she says. In this role she has learned so much about breast cancer and the challenges faced by various ethnic communities in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

A 20-year breast cancer survivor, Chris chose not to talk about her diagnosis at first as she didn't want to be defined by it. "However, once I found this group, I became engaged as a breast cancer survivor and I'm proud of it," she says.

Since turning over the reins of the board presidency to her successor Jane Pallas last month, Chris has been busy co-chairing Rally for Health and Hope. And, she continues to dedicate her time and talents as a board member. "I am so fortunate to work with the board and our volunteers in carrying out our mission," says Chris.