The Scene

Celebrity Breast Cancer Survivors Highlight the Fight for a Cure

Published on Monday, October 10 2011
Written by Super User

Christina Applegate, Cynthia Nixon, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Betsey Johnson all have one thing in common: they are all breast cancer survivors. With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are how these strong women are using their platforms to bring awareness to others this month:

After Christina Applegate battled breast cancer in 2008, she realized the high costs associated with screenings and treatment, one of the reasons that prompted her to start her own cancer charity, Right Action for Women. This charity offers programs to help give financial aid to high-risk women who can’t afford to get MRIs, the recommended breast screening test.

Cynthia Nixon may be best known for her role as Miranda in “Sex and The City”, but off-screen, Nixon’s life wasn't quite so glamorous when she battled breast cancer five years ago. As a survivor, Nixon now lends her time being an ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As an ambassador, Nixon promotes Susan G. Komen’s mission: to cure breast cancer at every stage – from the causes to the cures, to the pain and anxiety of every moment in between.

Sheryl Crow battled breast cancer in 2006, but a renowned breast cancer surgeon and founder of the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Kristi Funk, helped Crow beat the battle. Crow, now cancer-free, teamed up with her former surgeon to create the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center, a state-of-the-art breast imaging center, as part of the Pink Lotus Breast Center last year. The nine-time Grammy winner is doing her part to raise awareness year-round for breast cancer prevention. “Joining forces with the Pink Lotus Breast Center has provided me with a wonderful platform to create awareness and encourage the millions of American women over 40 to get their annual mammogram,” Crow says.

Another musician fighting for her life was two-time Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She underwent surgery and intense chemotherapy to remove the tumor and has had no recurrences thus far. Since her recovery, Etheridge has become an advocate for breast cancer research and focuses on the connection between environmental responsibility and breast cancer prevention. Etheridge created a “pink” section of her webpage as a fundraising and awareness tool that allows users to get informed about early detection and make a donation. On the site, Etheridge also auctions off personal items such as a Custom Pink Ovation 12 String Guitar (pictured above), with proceeds going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Our last female fighter who successfully won her battle against breast cancer is designer Betsey Johnson. It’s been twelve years since her diagnosis, and since then, she has become an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness. During the month of October, she’s bringing awareness through her love of fashion by holding in-store parties and selling breast cancer awareness products with a portion of the proceeds going towards Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she had treatment.

Out of all of these womens' accomplishments, beating breast cancer may be their biggest. How is your city raising awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

 

- Audrey Cook, YH Staff