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<back Children of Breast Cancer Foundation®FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LOCAL TV NEWS PERSONALITY EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO AID CHILDREN OF BREAST CANCER April 6 Fundraiser Expected to Raise Thousands More for Education Fund 2003-Chattanooga, TN. – MaryEllen Locher, news anchor for a local network television affiliate, is announcing the expansion of the Children of Breast Cancer Foundation®. The fund, founded by Locher who is a breast cancer survivor, grants college scholarships to students who have lost a parent to the disease. Now, Locher and the Fund’s board members have elected to include children of breast cancer survivors. Locher says, “Many women stricken by this devastating disease are thinking of the future and how to provide for their children. Most of the calls for help to our organization are coming from mothers who are surviving the battle against breast cancer. We felt a need to help provide for their children too.” The Children of Breast Cancer Foundation® (CBCF) was founded one year ago in April. The CBCS is funded through private and corporate donations, entirely of which go to aid college students whose mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The recipients, who come from across the nation, write essays to qualify for scholarships, and are also considered based on grade average and financial need. Local CSAS high school senior Ginny Straub is the first recipient of a CBCS scholarships. Ginny says, “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to go to college after my mom got sick. I was so excited when I heard my essay was chosen.” Locher says she has great plans for the foundation. “Our mission is to provide more scholarships and help more children who have already gone through so much. When I was being treated for breast cancer and worried about my own son’s future, I was amazed to find there were no widely available scholarships of these types for children who had lost so much. We are the first charity ever to focus solely on these kids, and we think we fill an important need.” One of the most unique aspects of the fund is its Wellness Component, which supplies practical, proven health information to the families of breast cancer and the general public. “Educating people, particularly young people, on how to live healthfully, enhance their immune systems by smart lifestyle choices, and thereby help prevent all cancers, is a major part of our focus on the future of these families,” says Locher. Approximately 203,000 women will be diagnosed with this devastating disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Nearly 50,000 will die. Statistics also show the fastest growing segment of women touched by this disease is women under 40, mothers in their prime of lives. An upcoming tea to increase awareness and help fund the scholarship, will be held on Sunday, April 6 at the Chattanoogan Hotel and Convention Center on Market Street at 1:30PM. Sponsored by Comcast Cable, and ClearChannel Outdoor, the tea features international humorist Suzie Humphreys as speaker. Humphreys is one of the most compelling inspirational and motivational speakers on the circuit today. “I’m happy to be a part of MaryEllen’s efforts to help children whose lives have been deeply affected by this deadly disease. They’re part of this fight too and they deserve a helping hand,” says Humphreys. Children attending the tea with their mothers will have their own venue. A comedy improvisation show performed by local comedy troop Runs With Scissors will entertain the children ages 4 to 12 in an adjoining area. There will also be silent auction items available, including some overnight packages to neighboring states. Tickets are $30 and reserved seating is required. Proceeds from the event will go to the Children of Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund. Tax deductible donations can also be made to:
Children of Breast Cancer Foundation and mailed to: CBC Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 4032 Chattanooga, TN 37405 The Children of Breast Cancer Foundation® is a 501(c)3 non-profit managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
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Recipient  Ginny Straub
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