By JoAnn Loulan, Former Board Member and Host of the Annual Billie Gardner Loulan Memorial Benefit

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. It’s times like these when community really matters. I’m glad to have each and every one of you in my life.

Every year, I host the Billie Gardner Loulan Memorial Benefit for Breast Cancer Action in memory of my mother who died of breast cancer. With the shelter-in-place order extended to who knows when, we’re turning the in-person event to a virtual one. Please join me for the 16th Annual Billie Gardner Loulan Memorial Virtual Benefit on May 16th.

Breast cancer doesn’t stop for pandemics. Just this month my own community had two new diagnoses and treatments. That’s why I am more committed than ever to raising the crucial funds that Breast Cancer Action needs to do their work.

In fact, my goal is to raise $100,000 and I’m thrilled that a group of generous donors, including Angela & Sam Schillace, Julia Shaw, and Laure Woods, have agreed to match all donations up to $30,000. So please give what you can today.

Here’s how you can help. Go to the 16th Annual Billie Gardner Loulan Memorial Virtual Benefit webpage and make a donation to “buy” your “ticket” now. Also, please watch the videos below. My dear friends, and fellow Breast Cancer Action supporters, Charlie and Abigail Krenz have made a heartfelt appeal in memory of their wife and mother Karen Tate who died of breast cancer just last year. The second video is from me about why I support Breast Cancer Action, especially since I’ve recently had another major surgery related to my breast cancer. 

You can also create and customize your own fundraiser to help raise money for Breast Cancer Action. This is an easy way to introduce your friends and family to Breast Cancer Action. (And if you need help, our friends at Breast Cancer Action are happy to walk you through the process).

Here’s that link again to donate/set up your own fundraising page. If you have any question or need help, don’t hesitate to contact Breast Cancer Action’s Development Manager, Lopa Pal, at lpal@bcaction.org.

Stay healthy and safe, and let’s keep being kind to each other—the only way out of this is together.